The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, the state’s chamber of commerce and manufacturers association, is well known for its work at the Louisiana Legislature.

During its almost 50-year history, LABI has significantly impacted and changed the state’s political landscape. From its successful effort to obtain enactment of a right-to-work law in its first year of existence, to the present year, where it led the charge last session to improve education and insurance outcomes for the state, LABI has been a difference-maker in its endeavors to create a better business climate in Louisiana.

While the organization regularly garners attention for its state-level activities, it might surprise you to learn that it does not limit its focus to the home front. LABI is no stranger to D.C.

It has, for the last decade, conducted an annual Federal Outreach Tour that brings key federal stakeholders together with Louisiana’s business leaders to discuss a wide array of policy priorities, allowing them to acquire an inside-the-beltway perspective and express their views directly to Louisiana’s congressional delegation. This year’s trip is planned for November.

LABI appears every bit as impactful in Washington as it is in Baton Rouge. “Congressional staff always ask where LABI is on an issue,” according to Randy Hayden, head of Creative Communications, a public and governmental relations firm.

Hayden is frequently in the nation’s capital, meeting with Louisiana congressional members. “When you mention LABI, pens immediately come out and they start taking it all down,” he said.

LABI often partners with its national counterparts—the US Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers—to jointly represent Louisiana’s businesses on specific bills before Congress. This expands the group’s political muscle to influence the views of congressional members from other states. Currently, LABI is joining these groups in advocating for the extension of several of the provisions encompassed in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The TCJA achieved a substantial modernization of the federal approach to taxing business income.

However, many of the TCJA’s tax reforms were enacted on a temporary basis and will expire at the end of 2025. Without congressional action, the expiration of these provisions will negatively impact businesses of all sizes.

For example, among the expiring provisions are the 20 percent deduction for qualifying pass-through business income, as well as a more favorable tax treatment of certain business expenses and investment costs, such as those in research and development.

As the organization approaches its 50th anniversary, it is more apparent than ever how much weight LABI’s voice, guided by its members’ thoughtful and insightful perspectives, carries in Washington—a source of great pride for Louisiana’s business community.

Jim Patterson is senior vice president for government relations with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.