LRA Advocacy
Protecting the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry
The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) has significantly strengthened its Advocacy Team over the last decade to effectively navigate the complex and highly regulated environment in which restaurants operate. Our Advocacy efforts extend beyond the walls of any single establishment, focusing on the broader climate that impacts the restaurant and hospitality industries.
Restaurants often find themselves at the center of regulatory attention, targeted for increases in taxes, fees, labor, insurance, and other regulatory burdens. The LRA Advocacy Team actively engages with lawmakers and policymakers, educating them on the unique business model of restaurants and ensuring that the industry is fairly represented. Our team works year-round to prevent harmful legislation, support beneficial policies, and secure positive outcomes for our members.
Explore the highlights of our recent legislative successes and understand how the LRA Advocacy Team continues to be the voice of Louisiana's restaurants.
1. Legislative Wins
- Successfully shapes legislation to protect and advance the restaurant and hospitality industry.
- Team works year-round to block harmful bills and support beneficial policies.
- Secures favorable outcomes for LRA members.
- Defeats restrictive regulations and promoted fair laws supporting business growth.
- Demostrates the LRA's commitment to representing Louisiana’s restaurants at the state Capitol.
2. Policy Education
- Educates policymakers on the unique challenges of the restaurant industry is central to LRA’s advocacy.
- LRA provides government officials and regulators insight into the restaurant business model.
- Addresses misconceptions and prevents unintended consequences of well-intentioned policies.
- LRA shapes a regulatory environment that supports the success of restaurants.
3. Targeted Advocacy
- LRA focuses on opposing mandates and ensuring regulatory fairness.
- The Advocacy Team seeks collaboration to develop solutions for the restaurant industry.
- Ensures regulations are fair, clear, and aligned with industry realities.
- LRA's targeted advocacy creates a more favorable business climate for members.
Advocacy News
Latest News On June 20, four U.S. Senators introduced the “No Taxes on Tips Act” to prevent federal income taxation on employee tips in any industry. While the proposal would eliminate the federal income tax for tips, these tips would still be subject to the federal payroll tax (“FICA”) paid by employees and employers to…
Read MoreLatest News On Tuesday, the Louisiana Senate approved House Bill 156, which repeals a requirement that employers provide a mandatory 30-minute break to minors working shifts lasting five hours or longer, in a 26-11 vote, with a major amendment now attached to the legislation. The amendment to the bill is from from Sen. Jean-Paul Coussan and…
Read MoreLatest News The Department of Labor (DOL) has released its final overtime rule, significantly increasing the minimum annual salary threshold determining overtime pay eligibility under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) from $35,568 to $58,656. The rule will gradually come into effect, with an increase to $43,888 on July 1, 2024, and an increase to $58,656…
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