The Tangipahoa Legislative Hobnob is taking place this week at the Columbia Theatre.
The meeting will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. It will be hosted by the Amite, Hammond and Ponchatoula Chambers of Commerce, who will be gathering with members of the Northshore Legislative Delegation for a meet and greet and discussion.
The university’s Executive Director of Public and Governmental Affairs, Erin Moore Cowser, explained the purpose of the legislative meeting.
“Each of the participating organizations presents the topics of priority for their members in the upcoming legislative session,” said Cowser. “Then the legislators have the opportunity to address the group and share their thoughts on the priorities.”
According to their flyers for the event, among the Hammond Chamber of Commerce’s priorities for the discussion are, “To secure long-term funding for higher education so that Southeastern Louisiana University and Northshore Technical Community College are able to adequately and appropriately budget and provide quality education, continue to lead dialogue regarding programs, reforms and policies that will benefit the local education offerings for children attending Tangipahoa Parish’s K-12 schools, champion the need for appropriate funding of healthcare providers and strengthen relationships and coalitions that will be instrumental securing funding and planning for transportation and infrastructure projects.”
Due to the issues in discussion affecting the entire parish, Cowser encourages people to attend the legislative hobnob if they can.
“Knowledge is power,” said Cowser. “It’s so important to be engaged and know what the individuals elected to represent you are focused on. They also want to know what’s in the best interests of their constituents.”
Students are also encouraged to appear at the hobnob, since the issues being discussed will have an effect on them as well.
“Aligning higher education and workforce needs and securing stable long term funding for higher education are emerging as top priorities for the upcoming session,” said Cowser. “That bodes well for Southeastern, but nothing is ever definite until the session closes in June. The devil is in the details, so they say. It will be an interesting process as proposed legislation with the potential to directly impact Southeastern and our students, faculty and staff makes its way through the twists and turns of the legislative process.”
Admission to the event is free. Check out the Hammond Chamber of Commerce’s website for more information.