North Shore Focus scheduled May 14 at Capitol
Contact: Tonya Lowentritt
Date: May 7, 2013
HAMMOND -- North Shore Focus, a regionally-hosted gathering with state legislators, will
be held at the Louisiana Capitol Tuesday, May 14, from 9 to 4 p.m.
This year's schedule includes informal briefings and updates from elected officials
and legislators on healthcare, higher education, transportation and parish priorities
from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Clairborne Building Marbois Room. A mix and mingle follows
at noon until 3 p.m. at the Capitol Rotunda. Barry Erwin of CABL (Council for a Better
Louisiana) will cap off the day with his presentation of "Political Theater 101: Grand
Drama at the Capitol" at 3 p.m. in the Capitol Senate Committee Room C.
This is the 10-year anniversary for the collaborative advocacy event, designed
to provide area business leaders with an opportunity to visit with legislators from
across the state and present the North Shore region's legislative priorities, said
Erin Cowser, Southeastern Louisiana University executive director of public and governmental
affairs and Hammond Chamber of Commerce executive committee member. There is no cost
to attend the event.
"Legislators tell us it makes their jobs that much easier when they're presented
with collective plans and priorities," she said. "While each parish may have its specific
needs and wants, collectively as a region, what's good for Tangipahoa is good for
Livingston, what's good for Washington is good for St. Tammany, and vice versa."
As a true reflection of the state's fastest growing region, Cowser said the event's
list of co-hosts continues to grow with representation of a fifth parish included
this year. Co-hosts include the Livingston Economic Development Council, Livingston
Chamber of Commerce, Livingston Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau, and St. Helena
Parish Economic Development.
From St. Tammany Parish are the East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, St. Tammany
Economic Development Foundation, St. Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Commission,
and St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce.
Representing Tangipahoa Parish are the Amite Chamber of Commerce, Hammond Chamber
of Commerce, Hammond Area Economic and Industrial Development District, Ponchatoula
Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Louisiana Business Center, Tangipahoa Economic Development
Foundation and the Tangipahoa Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Washington Parish co-hosts include the Franklinton Chamber of Commerce and Washington
Economic Development Foundation.
Northshore Technical Community College Alumni and the Southeastern Louisiana
University Alumni Association, as well as the Northshore Legislative Alliance, are
also regional partners.
Chamber members and representatives of the business community are encouraged
to attend. For more information, contact the individual chamber offices or the Southeastern
Alumni Association at 985-549-2150.