State Representative Mark Wrightjoins the show to talk about the ongoing Louisiana legislative session and key economic development initiatives. Representative Wright discussed the growing attention around his bill authorizing the Port of New Orleans to pursue public-private partnerships for the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor Roadway Project. Initially seen as a procedural measure, the bill has gained momentum due to its potential to support the Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) project. This terminal, in development since 2018, aims to address Louisiana’s limited container capacity, which hampers its competitiveness in global shipping. The project is crucial because larger container ships can’t pass under New Orleans’ bridges, necessitating a new terminal downstream. Wright emphasized that the terminal could significantly boost the state’s economy by improving access to rail and highway infrastructure and attracting more cargo traffic. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between ports, discouraging competition between LIT and the Plaquemines Port.

The goal is to ensure Louisiana becomes a more attractive hub for global trade, not to pit ports against each other. On the broader legislative front, Wright noted progress on insurance reform, with five bills advancing from committee. While he couldn’t confirm if they remained intact, he expressed optimism based on feedback from bill sponsors. He also touched on the state budget, praising allocations for the Louisiana Gator program and teacher stipends. Wright acknowledged the challenges of passing constitutional amendments and emphasized the need for better communication to gain public support. Finally, he stressed that long-term economic growth—through projects like LIT and the Hyundai Steel plant in Donaldsonville—is key to solving systemic issues like insurance instability and outmigration. He called for continued focus on infrastructure and job creation to reshape Louisiana’s economic narrative and attract new investment.