Louisiana Jobs

IPCPR Advises Louisiana Legislature: Don’t Tax Twinkies or Tobacco

Baton Rouge, Louisiana (PRWEB) June 14, 2009

As if a 2,700 percent federal tax increase on some tobacco products wasn’t enough, Louisiana lawmakers are trying to squeeze another 50 percent in state tax revenues out of Louisiana cigar smokers plus $ .50 per pack of cigarettes and similar increases on other tobacco products.

“It’s as unfair and unjust as excessively taxing alcoholic beverages, snack foods, and automobiles because they make you drunk, fat or have accidents. Just because obesity is the nation’s leading cause of health problems, nobody should be taxing Twinkies and no one should be taxing tobacco, especially cigars and pipe tobacco, in order to manage how we live,” according to Chris McCalla, legislative director of the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association, whose 5,000 members and guests will be meeting in convention in New Orleans in August.

Legislation proposed by New Orleans’ Rep. Karen Carter Peterson barely squeaked out of committee this week by an 8-7 vote after twice being defeated and will be up for discussion on the House floor next week.

House Bill 889 would further tax Peterson’s constituents and others throughout the state by increasing the state tax on cigarettes by $ .50 per pack and on hand-made cigars from the current 20 percent of cost to a proposed 30 percent – a 50 percent increase. The proposed pipe tobacco tax increase would go from the current 33 percent to 49.5 percent with similar increases for other tobacco products. Cigars and pipe tobacco represent a small percent of the tobacco market but they are the primary source of income and jobs for the nearly three dozen Louisiana tobacconists and their employees.

“Current tobacco taxes raised less than $ 400,000 for the state last year and many Louisiana tobacconists’ sales are already off by double-digits due to the federal tobacco tax increase that went into effect April 1, 2009,” said Bob Winston, owner of the Tinder Box in Metairie, LA. “Tobacco is an unstable, eroding tax base which higher taxes will only result in closing businesses like ours, job losses and further tax deficits.”

Winston and fellow tobacconists Rene Gerard, owner of Piper’s Haven in Lafayette and Sarah McCauley, co-owner of Bayou Tobacco, Inc. in Baton Rouge, are among several state tobacconists who appeared at House committee meetings in opposition to the Bill. They are all members of the IPCPR.

“Higher taxes on cigars and pipe tobacco will only drive whatever business is left into the hands of Internet, out-of-state and mail order merchants who do not pay taxes to Louisiana and do not employ Louisiana’s citizens. They do not have the same stake in our communities that we do with our family-owned businesses and neighborhood employees,” said McCauley.

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Help Outside the Box: Postcard Marketer Helps Scientologists Aid Katrina Victims

Clearwater, FL (PRWEB) September 12, 2005

In the wake of the US’s natural disaster Katrina, claiming an untold number of lives and leaving millions without homes, Joy Gendusa, founder and CEO of PostcardMania, announced today that she would be aiding The International Scientology Disaster Response Team and seeing to it that all monetary and other donations would be sent to them for the distribution and aid to those victimized by the storm.

78,000 people are homeless in shelters alone – not including over ONE million people that evacuated New Orleans. The death toll is estimated in the thousands. At times like this, the normal communication lines can be scrambled at best or even non-existent. Confusion abounds and even the best laid plans get tested far beyond their capacity to endure.

However, these times are exactly what The International Scientology Disaster Response Team is expert in handling. Parishioners of the Church of Scientology act as Volunteer Ministers and travel from all over the nation and the world to give help to the government relief projects that are already over-taxed. These Volunteer Ministers (www.volunteerministers.org), from all walks of life and professions, leave their homes and their jobs with or without pay, to volunteer with whatever is needed.

The Sheriffs office of the Vermilon Parish (a county) of Louisiana has stated in an official letter the following:

“The International Scientology Disaster Response Team is operating in the State of Louisiana in response to the devastation created in our fellow parishes in South East Louisiana. More than 300 volunteers are coming to Louisiana with this team to ensure that correct aid is given to those affected by Katrina.

“The International Scientology Disaster Response Team has worked at Ground Zero during 9-11, assisting clean-up and aid after the Tsunami, and was a major force in every hurricane to hit Florida in the last three years. They are experts in handling human misery and assisting the rescue workers and other relief teams to get the job done. They should be allowed on any and all lines within Louisiana to further assist in reliev[ing] the devastated survivors and to help us rebuild southeast Louisiana.”

PostcardMania (www.postcardmania.com) raised $ 4,000 in 1.5 hours the day after Katrina hit. That money went straight to The International Scientology Disaster Response Team for the refugees in Baton Rouge.

Joy Gendusa also sent four of her employees to Baton Rouge to volunteer. She paid their wages as if they would be working for her. There will be other teams of PostcardManiacs to leave for Baton Rouge when the first team returns.

“I remember 9/11; I was there. I remember the Tsunami; I helped that cause too. Each and every time I have sent aid and donations to the victims of these disasters through The International Scientology Disaster Response Team. They are respected, they get the job done and I trust sending money to them – I know it will get to the victims,” Joy said as she and her executives planned for the next stage of PostcardMania’s assistance for the Katrina victims.

About PostcardMania:

PostcardMania, founded by Joy Gendusa in 1998, is a full service direct mail postcard marketing company providing businesses with full service postcard direct mail marketing which includes graphic design, printing, mailing list acquisition and mailing services with free marketing advice.

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LOCA Insurance Fund Licensed in Louisiana

Baton Rouge, LA (PRWEB) March 3, 2004

The Louisiana Oilfield Contractors Association (LOCA) has formed a group self insurance fund for workers’ compensation coverage for participating members, marking the first time this successful risk transfer mechanism has ever been employed for energy sector business owners. The LOCA Insurance Fund license takes effect in Louisiana March 1, 2004 and includes authorization to provide both workers’ compensation and USL&H insurance.

Mr. Randy Haynie, Executive Director of LOCA, talked about the driving factors in forming the insurance fund saying, “Workers’ compensation insurance rates for oilfield contractors in this state have increased by 92% on a compound basis in the last three years, while claims costs have declined to the lowest level in ten years. That’s just not right, it just does not make any business sense in light of the industry’s safety programs and positive safety records over the past decade.    Something has to be done to preserve our oilfield businesses and the jobs they support by bringing insurance costs into line with actual claims experience.”

The LOCA Insurance Fund is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of the heads of companies elected from the association’s general membership. Mr. Richard Chalmers, President of Chalmers Collins & Alwell and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, described the mission of the fund, “The cost of workers’ compensation insurance is the second or third largest business expense for oilfield contractors, but by far the most controllable. Our new fund is dedicated to providing LOCA members with the highest quality of service. We will work closely with each member company to reduce work place injuries and insurance costs to the lowest possible level. Each participating member’s net cost of insurance will be driven primarily by their own loss experience. Only those association members with a good claims history and a strong organizational commitment to safety will be eligible to participate.”

The Administrator of the LOCA Insurance Fund is Montlake Holdings, a specialist in workers’ compensation insurance with a long track record of success in Louisiana. Additional information about the LOCA Insurance Fund can be obtained from Mr. Brian Gondron by calling 337-849-7477.

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The People’s Story: Stories about Hope, Courage and the Power of the Human Spirit

Covington, LA (PRWEB) August 2, 2006

Ghost Rider Pictures is currently in production on a new film, FORGOTTEN ON THE BAYOU, based on the award-winning series, THE PEOPLE’S STORY. Directed by Steven Scaffidi, the film follows a man from St. Bernard Parish (located just outside of New Orleans), who rode out Hurricane Katrina on his roof by holding on to a rope for 4 hours. Rockey Vaccarella is a true survivor who eventually swam to safety with his son and then got in a boat to rescue others. But this is not just another story about a hurricane.

Rockey is on a mission to find people like himself who want to go home, rebuild, and refuse to give up even though he and others lost everything but the clothes on their backs. Rockey’s message is simple yet powerful: “We want to thank President Bush and the American people for everything they have done so far for south Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region but, to remind everyone that the job is not complete and to please do whatever is possible to help clean-up and re-build so our people can return home.”

Rockey’s mission will take him on a very special journey to our nation’s capitol. His journey is unique because he will be towing his honorary FEMA Trailer to the White House and is inviting the President of the United States to join him for a good old fashioned Cajun dinner prepared by a real Louisiana chef. To make the occasion even more memorable, the dinner will take place inside Rockey’s FEMA trailer where he will personally deliver his message to the President on behalf of the people who have lost so much. On top of that, he will tell the President about an amazing idea to bring 1 million people to South Louisiana and the Gulf Coast Region to help clean up, rebuild, and get families back in their homes.

If you think this is an impossible dream, think again. Rockey’s caravan will depart the St. Bernard Civic Center in Chalmette, Louisiana on August 18, 2006 at 9am sharp and will arrive in Washington D.C. on August 20th. Dinner with the President is planned for the evening of August 22nd. The journey to Washington will take the caravan through the cities of New Orleans, Bay St. Louis, Mobile, Montgomery, Atlanta, Columbia, Raleigh, and Richmond. By the time Rockey arrives in the nation’s capitol people from coast to coast will hear his message and support his mission to help rebuild his homeland.

For more information or to help Rockey get his message to the President and the American people contact the production office of Ghost Rider Pictures at 504-466-6256 or via email.

Dreams do come true. God bless!

Steven Scaffidi

Producer/Director

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LocalCareers.com Acquires MissouriJobs.com, ArkansasJobs.com, LouisianaJobs.com

Milwaukee WI (PRWEB) July 1, 2004

LocalCareers.com, a network of regional and national career sites, has acquired MissouriJobs.com, ArkansasJobs.com, and LouisianaJobs.com. The acquisition gives LocalCareers.com a greater presence in the Southern Midwest of the United States. Terms of the acquisition were not released.

The acquisition completes the LocalCareers.com career site network. LocalCareers.com will continue to strategically acquire niche employment sites.

“This is the third major acquisition for LocalCareers.com this year,” said Dan McMahon, Marketing Manager for LocalCareers.com. “We are aggressively acquiring career sites to build job seeker traffic and a larger client base.”

Since 1998, LocalCareers.com has acquired over 25 career related websites. In the past year, the acquisitions included WisconsinJobs.com, ConecticutJobs.com, RhodeIslandJobs.com, WyomingJobs.com, IndianaJobs.com, KentuckyJobs.com, TenneseeJobs.com, MassachusettsJobs.com, DelawareJobs.com, and FloridaCareers.com.

About LocalCareers.com, Inc.

LocalCareers.com, Inc. is a Milwaukee based company that operates a network of regional, national, and industry related employment web sites. The network consists of 100+ career sites including: LocalCareers.com, WisconsinJobs.com, MichiganJobs.com, CaliforniaJobs.com, Jobs4Sales.com, Jobs4Diversity.com, etc.

Founded in 1998, LocalCareers.com has emerged as one of the leading career networks. LocalCareers.com has been recognized as a Top 100 career site by Weddles.com in 1999-2004. In addition, CareerXroads has ranked the career network in the Top 500 websites in 2000-2004.

SOURCE: LocalCareers.com, Inc.

CONTACT: Dan McMahon, Marketing Manager

LocalCareers.com, Inc

5960 W. Brown Deer Road

Milwaukee, WI 53217

(414) 357-8330 or info@localcareers.com

Web site: http://www.localcareers.com

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Help From A Louisiana Maritime Attorney

Help From A Louisiana Maritime Attorney

A very important decision is taking help from a maritime attorney. Legal services of this type are offered by many individuals who offer services and function in the capacity of a qualified Louisiana maritime attorney. Finding the right maritime attorney in Louisiana can at times be difficult because the options as well as choices there are many. If you want to make sure that you are choosing the right attorney in Louisiana then you will have to do adequate research before hiring one.

Getting foregrounding right

It is important to locate the right person for dealing with the maritime issues. Besides the experience the attorney has there are other issues as well which need to be considered. Check out his experience in dealing with maritime cases so that you can get an idea of the kind of services he will provide you.

A person injured at sea should ask around to find a good Louisiana maritime attorney. Look out for people who have hired the services of maritime attorney after some maritime problem or a boat accident, as these people can be of great assistance to you. A number of attorneys are available in Louisiana and you need to make a wise decision while choosing one. Most of the advertisements for maritime attorneys sound as if they are equal which may not be the case always. Ensure you don’t get deceived by doing the right amount of research of finding the right Mississippi Maritime Accidents.

Shopping for the right attributes

While taking help from a maritime attorney in Louisiana, experience and qualifications is very necessary. An offshore oil rig maritime attorney might be more experienced that any other maritime attorney and you may want to compare abilities as well as skills so that you are able to choose one that suits your case best.

Once the maritime attorney in Louisiana is chosen he will be determine first how the victim was injured while at sea and then strive towards working out a compensation for him that would be just and fair. Some of the attorneys work as individuals and also work for other law companies and firms and you can accordingly choose the right attorney who suits your case.

A Louisiana maritime attorney is able to guide the person injured through the process whether the case gets settled out of court or goes on trial. The legal battle can get very confusing and it is the job of the maritime attorney to help negotiate the case. He is able to tell the individual about:

* The amount of compensation she or he may be able to get
* The likelihood of winning the case
* Other details that the victimized individual may not know

In Louisiana the person could be a victim of malfunction on a more complex oil rig, or a victim of a simple boat accident. Very often the victim does not have any experience as far legal proceedings are concerned and hence it is a wise choice to choose a maritime attorney for any person who has been injured at sea.

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DDA Commits Leading Funds of $160K to Bring CoHabitat Louisiana to Greater Shreveport-Bossier Area

Shreveport, LA (PRWEB) October 14, 2009

Shreveport-Bossier, LA (PRWEB) October 14, 2009 — Coworking is an emerging trend that allows often-isolated workers, such as work-at-home professionals, independent contractors, and budding entrepreneurs to enjoy a supportive community setting while still working independently. Coworking in this type of social environment allows these independent workers to share values. It also allows them to fuel their interest in the synergy that can happen from working with talented people in the same space.

Now CoHabitat Louisiana partners Blake Burris and John Grindley and the DDA are bringing that synergy to the Shreveport-Bossier area.

CoHabitat Louisiana is a new coworking space with a cafe-like atmosphere that is designed to create and foster a micro-enterprise atmosphere within a targeted geographical market area of North Louisiana. CoHabitat Louisiana will benefit the greater Shreveport-Bossier area in a number of ways, utilizing a currently unoccupied building, encouraging an Earth-friendly work environment, and bringing creative, entrepreneurial-thinking individuals out of home offices and into downtown.

Coworking projects have been enjoying great success around the world including similar projects in Dallas (CoHabitat Dallas) cofounded by Burris and New Orleans (Launchpad NOLA) founded by Chris Schultz.

“I think the timing is right for Coworking in Louisiana; clustering of entrepreneurs and freelancers in a strong community environment accelerates their success. Launch Pad NOLA looks forward to collaborating with CoHabitat to create a true network of entrepreneurs across the state of Louisiana.” Chris Schultz, owner of Launch Pad NOLA in New Orleans, LA.

“Coworking spaces tend to adapt to the local market and this has certainly been true in Dallas. A majority of our membership are building consumer web applications that tend to include Facebook and iPhone functionality. I am very excited to partner with the DDA and John Grindley to extend the CoHabitat brand from Dallas to my hometown area.” Blake Burris, CoHabitat Lousiana and CoHabitat Dallas co-founder.

It is also a project that the City of Shreveport’s Mayor Cedric Glover believes will bring a new high tech and entrepreneural spirit to our area and to downtown.

“”I am proud of the hard work that John Grindley and the Coworking team have done to bring this project very close to fruition here in Shreveport. This is the type of creative thinking that Shreveport needs to begin to create an innovation economy and revitalize downtown.” Cedric B. Glover, Mayor of Shreveport.

Interest in the project has increased rapidly over the last several months and those wanting to be involved in CoHabitat Louisiana are encouraged to fill out an online survey to help build the environment conducive to North Louisiana’s needs at CoHabitat Survey.

That interest has further been increased by the support of The Downtown Development Authority of Shreveport. DDA facilitates initiatives that aid private and public development within the Downtown District of Shreveport, LA. CoHabitat Louisiana exemplifies that development and the DDA’s mission.

“The nature of work in our culture is changing rapidly, as more and more of the workforce, especially younger workers, are wanting to be independent of corporate structures, long commutes, and traditional definitions of the work day. Coworking presents an attractive alternative to independent contractors and work-at-home professionals, and has the potential to grow quickly into a major element of the workplace. At the Shreveport Downtown Development Authority, we believe strongly in this concept and its potential to help position our downtown as a viable and attractive location for coworking. That’s why we have committed to a major investment in CoHabitat Louisiana. We encourage other groups who are active in the economic development field to make CoHabitat Louisiana a priority in their efforts to expand and stabilize the job base.” Don Shea, Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority of Shreveport.

The project still needs additional funding to begin operations downtown under Grindley and Burris’ three-year business forecast. The partners are actively seeking support from private individuals and other organizations in the community.

For more information please contact: CoHabitat Louisiana Managing Partner, John Grindley @ 318-230-0157. Take the survey at http://bit.ly/CoHabitatLAsurvey and find us on Facebook at CoHabitat Louisiana and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/cohab.

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Saint-Gobain Containers Inc. retains 350 jobs, invests $30 million

Governor Bobby Jindal joined Saint-Gobain Containers Inc. officials to announce the company’s commitment to its Simsboro, Louisiana facility, retaining 350 jobs.
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Louisiana Health Insurance for Buyers

Louisiana Health Insurance for Buyers

The costs of health care are surmounting like never before and a lot of us are having a tough time dealing with the sky rocketing costs and medical bills. In such a context, one of the best things to invest on for Louisiana health insurance is the HSA or health savings insurance plan which seeks to offer protection to the person fro incurring large or extensive medical bills and reduced monthly premiums.

Other than that, the HSA plan also extends tax benefits and gains. In case you are changing jobs, you could look for the HIPAA benefits, especially if you are registered under a Louisiana health insurance policy.

Planning for retirement may come as a difficult choice to make, since in this situation, you need to reassess your medical or health plans. Given the importance of medical planning, it may be said that there may be certain kinds of benefits that your family may be entitled to once you have retired, since there are various kinds of medical as well as stat sponsored programs or Louisiana health insurance policies which you can enjoy or benefit from at a reduced rate. In case the claim is denied, you must know how to file your appeal. You may even seek to improve the quality of service or benefits that you receive from your health care provider with the help of medical insurance in Louisiana.

Go for the Health Insurance Plan, Louisiana

The Louisiana health savings insurance plans are comprised of twin ingredients. These are: a health or medical insurance plan that has got a high amount as its deductible, and a health savings account that is free of tax charges. The HSA is in fact a novel method that is being used by a lot of families in Louisiana to protect themselves from the hazards of incurring a hefty medical bill.

It also enables you to prevent yourself as well as the members of your family from having to pay exorbitant health fares as well as obtain regular health coverage at affordable rates. The money that you pay for the HSA is free of taxes. It is in this way a major advantage from what your high deductible medical insurance plans offer you.

The aim of the Louisiana HSA plans is to make for the interests in case the amount of medical coverage is not enjoyed. The plan even rolls on to the following year. There’s nothing to lose. The high deductible medical insurance plans offer affordable premiums on your insurance investment. With the low premium you can fund for your health savings account that is free of tax. With plentiful benefits, this plan is getting increasingly popular among the people.

Getting the Best Quotes on Louisiana Medical Insurance

The best way to look for a health insurance quote in Louisiana is by going for a website where you can request your quotes. There is an online form that you are required to fill in, and once this is done, you’re given low rate HMO, HSA, POS and PPO quotes.

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Newt on Obama’s Job-Killing Policies

Newt discusses the Obama policies that kill jobs for workers in the oil industry in Louisiana and for a coal equipment plant in Wisconsin.
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