We Live To Eat
Louisiana's trusted industry advisor for restaurants, Louisiana Restaurant Association, presents We Live To Eat. It's a behind-the-scenes peek at the members of the association and how the LRA helps them navigate the complicated world of restaurant ownership. Host Wendy Waren intrigues us with interesting stories and engaging conversations with special guests from Louisiana's culinary scene. Join us each month for an update & check out all our social media - Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin. Follow We Live to Eat on Spotify and Amazon Music.
We Live To Eat
2026 Capitol Connection Podcast- Ep 7
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In this week’s Capitol Connection episode, Will DuBos, LRA’s Managing Director of Government & Public Affairs, provides a mid-session recap highlighting key legislative issues impacting restaurants from workforce and workers’ compensation to payment processing, agriculture, and public safety.
He shares progress on House Bill 232, which would streamline hiring minors and is advancing to the Senate with LRA support, along with ongoing efforts to reform Louisiana’s outdated workers’ compensation system, where multiple proposals are still being negotiated. The recap also highlights a key win with the defeat of House Bill 659, which would have limited restaurants’ ability to offset rising payment processing costs, while noting continued monitoring of a Senate bill addressing debit card surcharges.
Additional focus includes support for expanding Louisiana seafood promotion efforts and increasing industry representation, as well as backing workplace safety measures like the Behind the Counter Protection Act.
As the session approaches adjournment, the LRA emphasizes that both advancing strong policies and stopping harmful legislation remain critical to protecting restaurant operators.
New episodes are available each month on most podcast platforms. We Live To Eat podcast is produced by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Comms Dept.
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