: Blueprint Louisiana - To Fundamentally Improve Louisiana :

Expanding Blueprint's Reform Agenda
Priorities Response Sheet

Good News! About 60% of Blueprint Louisiana's Reform Agenda has been accomplished. See our accountability report for a detailed look at what has been accomplished and what remains to be done. Blueprint is committed to following through on the remaining agenda items in 2009, including critical items in:

PreK - 12 Education
Workforce Development
Health Care
Transportation Infrastructure
Coastal Restoration and Hurricane Protection

We are also beginning the process of identifying new strategic reforms (that require state legislative action) to add to the Blueprint Agenda. Be a part of the effort-weigh in on this Priorities Response Sheet as we consider expanding the Blueprint Louisiana reform agenda.

INSTRUCTIONS For each topic below, check the button beside the option you think is best. A write-in option is provided for other responses.

1. My Higher Education Priority (Choose ONE)
	a.	Louisiana should create a performance-based funding formula for higher education that is measurable and transparent. This new formula would: Reward student performance and graduation, not just enrollment. Encourage expansion of "completers" in high-demand workforce areas. Reward institutions for increasing overall degrees, certificates, and external research funding.
	b.	The authority of the Board of Regents should be constitutionally expanded to facilitate higher education system reform.
	c.	Other. Please specify:

2. My Economic Development Priority (Choose ONE)
	a.	Louisiana should create a "strategic research alliance" that retains/attracts world-class talent, spurs innovation, and commercializes new technology being developed here - focusing on existing research strengths with near-term economic potential.
	b.	Louisiana should develop innovative new business incentives, including tax credits, to increase the state's competitiveness in retaining and attracting economic driver firms.
	c.	Develop a comprehensive small business and entrepreneurship plan to position Louisiana as one of the best states for small business/entrepreneurship: Strengthen small business development centers (SBDCs). Implement early-stage grants programs to demonstrate commercialization potential of new technologies.
	d.	Maintain and build Louisianas growth in the entertainment industry, especially in digital media.
	e.	Other. Please specify:

3. My Pre-K — 12 Education Priority (Choose ONE)
	a.	Louisiana's accountability system for public education should be maintained and improved.
	b.	Louisiana should pursue "school board reform" designed to improve local school district governance, including term limits for elected school board members, mandatory training of board members by the Department of Education, and limits on involvement with staff hiring and firing decisions.
	c.	Promote and expand charter schools in Louisiana: Establish consistent standard for rigorous review of charter applications. Empower parents and communities to improve chronically low-performing schools through charter conversions.
	d.	Other. Please specify:

4. My Coastal Restoration and Hurricane Protection Priority (Choose ONE)
	a.	Louisiana should expedite implementation of funded coastal restoration and hurricane/flood protection projects by utilizing the design-build construction concept.
	b.	Louisiana should expand authority of existing levee districts to include coastal restoration activities.
	c.	Louisiana should provide flexibility to allow the use of levee district dollars to maximize effectiveness of protection within a flood protection authority or geographic region (example: Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authorities - East and West)
	d.	Louisiana should dedicate significant additional recurring revenues to coastal restoration and hurricane/flood protection.
	e.	Other. Please specify:

Any Other Statewide Priority? (List ONE)

Fund early childhood ed
Letter to the Editor, Lake Charles American Press

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Blueprint Louisiana is a citizen-driven effort to identify and implement essential changes to fundamentally improve Louisiana. Blueprint Louisiana is a nonpartisan organization that is led and supported by business and community leaders from all regions of the state. Our ultimate hope is to better position the state for success and to make citizens proud to say, ‘I live in Louisiana.’