LABI's PAC supports Harrison's rival

SOUTHPAC, the political action committee of Louisiana’s largest business advocacy organization, has endorsed the opponent of incumbent state Rep. Joe Harrison, R-Gray, who represents portions of east St. Mary Parish.
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry today endorsed Terrebonne Parish Council member Beryl Amedee, who like Harrison is a Republican from Gray.
“Beryl Amedee has proven herself as a leader during her time of public service on the Terrebonne Parish Council,” said Steve Stumpf, chair of SOUTHPAC.
Amedee said she appreciates LABI’s endorsement and is “looking forward to supporting and proposing legislation” to keep the Louisiana business climate “supportive of existing businesses and industries to promote Louisiana as a top competitor among other states in the south.”
Amedee believes being supportive of businesses in the state is one of the biggest issues in this race.
“I believe that government should not place undue burdens on businesses. Instead, the job of government is to simply ensure fair business practices,” Amedee said.
She said “businesses create wealth” while “the government consumes wealth.”
Harrison, who has been a frequent opponent of Gov. Bobby Jindal, noted in an interview today that former Jindal administration aide Steve Waguespack is the president of LABI.
Harrison also opposes the implementation of Common Core, which is an issue LABI supports, he said. Parents and educators should be included in the Common Core discussions, Harrison said.
“I think it’s a sad commentary to the state of affairs that a supposed business organization is going to try to put through a failed educational program as the primary issue on business,” Harrison said. “Somebody better tell them that the budget is in bad shape, and that’s what we should be concentrating on.”
“They’re not an organization of business issues anymore,” Harrison said. “If you look at my record, I have a 100 percent voting record on business issues.”
Later, Harrison’s office issued a statement on the LABI endorsement.
“District 51 including the parishes of Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary is consistently one of the top performing economic regions, not just in the state, but in the nation,” the release said. “That only happens where there is a strong, coordinated effort across all parts of the community between business, industry and elected officials. The statement is especially unfortunate given LABI’s pattern of being consistently out-of-step with almost every other community and organization who understands the importance of a strong and experienced pro-business legislator.
“These are not my words but are the words or organizations like the multi-parish Southwest Economic Partnership where I was recognized for my ‘commitment to the Chamber’s pro-business legislative agenda during the 2015 Legislative Session.’ Or the American Legislative Exchange Council where National Chair and Iowa Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer stated during my naming as 2014 legislator of the year, ‘As a small business owner and entrepreneur, Representative Harrison truly embodies the ALEC principles of limited government, free markets and federalism. ALEC is appreciative of his steadfast leadership.’
The primary election for the state House is Oct. 24.