Good news on the homefront
April 28, 2015
Local faces at nation’s capital for historic Supreme Court moment (AUDIO INSIDE)
April 28, 2015
Oil and gas workers and company owners from throughout Louisiana are expected to descend on the state capital Monday, vowing to stand up for the interests of their industry as legislators continue their session.
The day-long event, dubbed Oil & Gas Industry Day, will be held at the historic Pentagon Barracks beginning at noon. Organizers say it is a way of showing legislators how vital their industry is to Louisiana’s economy, and to advocate for their industry’s interests.
“It’s more making sure that we connect the dots with our legislators from all over the state,” said Jane Arnette, executive director of the South Central Industrial Association.
Lori LeBlanc, executive director of the Gulf Economic Survival Team, one of the industry organizations sponsoring the event, said its purpose is “to just bring folks together to demonstrate our support for an industry that provides a $70 billion economic impact for the state every year… This industry impacts each and every one of us every day.”
Over 350 people are expected to come, said Morgan Wampold, representative for the Grow Louisiana Coalition.
A free lunch for attendees will be catered by Walk On’s Bistreaux & Bar. Speakers will include Don Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, and some elected officials, Wampold said.
After lunch, the crowd will move into the rotunda of the Capitol building, where oil companies will have booths set up, some offering jobs.
Oil industry workers will have opportunities to network with each other and to meet with state legislators. They can look for a job in the field, make new business connections, and express their concerns to their elected officials, Wampold said.
People in the industry, Briggs said, are not necessarily concerned about one bill in particular this legislative
session. But industry leaders, he said, are concerned about the direction some of the bills proposed to fill a $1.6 billion budget gap.
Briggs said that repealing the inventory tax credit and other tax exemptions would “have a big impact” on the oil and gas industry.
“I think it’s just important for legislators to meet and greet and see some of the people that are in the industry and know that they’re concerned about it,” Briggs said.
The day will end with a reception for legislators and industry leaders at the Jimmy Davis House, which will be a great opportunity for oil industry members to speak face-to-face with their legislators.
Workers toil offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. The Oil & Gas Industry day will take place on Monday.
