Terrebonne Council votes on rec district ordinance
October 26, 2017
Don Babin
October 26, 2017
Rep. Steve Scalise made his first appearance in Houma since a June shooting that left him in critical condition.
Scalise was a guest at Tuesday’s South Central Industiral Association general meeting. He spoke about his recovery from the shooting, when a gunman opened fire on the Republican Congressional baseball team practice and wounded three others while leaving Scalise in critical condition, as well as the congressional agenda going forward.
Scalise said his appearance at SCIA was his first speaking event in his district since the shooting. He said it was good
to be back in Houma and meet face-to-face with those who sent him prayers, calls and notes during his recovery.
“I appreciate so much you giving me the ability to represent Southeast Louisiana in Congress. There is no greater honor,” Scalise said.
Scalise said he has since gotten back to work in Washington, D.C., with the House of Representatives passing a budget the week after he returned to work. The House Majority Whip said the budget protects offshore oil lease revenues dedicated to states on the Gulf Coast, which he called the “lifeblood for restoring our coast.” According to Scalise, those coastal dollars will be not be under as fervent a threat going forward.
“We finally start getting money this year. Before the money started rolling in, it was a lot easier for people to think they could take it because it was money that wasn’t gong out yet,” Scalise said. “Now that it’s going to finally start this year and every year after, it’s a lot different battle if they’re trying to take something away that’s already there.”
Scalise said the other major initiative in Congress going forward will be tax reform, with a focus on simplifying the tax code and cutting taxes across all income brackets, with the top earners seeing the largest total savings in proposed frameworks. Scalise said proposed reforms would also lower the federal corporate tax rate to 15 percent from the current rate of 35 percent, which he said would make the United States more competitive and bring companies back to the country.
Sen. Sharon Hewitt, who represents District 1 in the Louisiana State Senate, also spoke about tax issues at the SCIA meeting. Hewitt, a former engineering executive for Shell Oil, gave standard Republican lines on the state’s looming $1.4 billion budget deficit, saying state leaders should look to cut spending rather than raise revenues through additional taxes. Hewitt spoke about simplifying the state tax code and enacting tort reform to make Louisiana more attractive to companies considering moving here. Hewitt said support for the oil and gas industry is vital and called on business leaders to donate to political action committees that support legislative candidates with tax-cutting and pro-business agendas.
The meeting marked not only the return of Scalise but also a transfer of power at SCIA. It was outgoing executive director Jane Arnette’s final general meeting, who is retiring but will continue to do marketing consulting for local companies. Christy Naquin, who is taking over for Arnette, thanked her predecessor for training her and spoke to the legacy she leaves behind.
“Jane has been calling me her replacement. I will say that there is no replacement for Jane. I’ll just say that I’m the next executive director of SCIA,” Naquin said.
Arnette had also worked with the Cardiovascular Institute of the South and Terrebonne General Medical Center prior to leading SCIA. She thanked SCIA and the past presidents for working with her over the last 15 years while offering parting words about finding one’s passion in life.
“I’m just going to take a real quick time here and say: whatever you do in life, remember to thine own self be true and do it, do it well and be happy in whatever you do,” Arnette said.
Outgoing SCIA Executive Director Jane Arnette receives a standing ovation at her final general meeting. Arnette is retiring and will continue doing consulting work in the area with Christy Naquin taking over at SCIA.
