Goal 2:
To build a thriving economy driven by innovative, entrepreneurial, and globally competitive companies that make productive use of technology and the state’s human, educational, and natural resources

Objective 2.8 - To have an equitable tax structure, regulatory climate, and civil justice system conducive to business retention and the creation and growth of innovative companies

	Having laws and regulations that are conducive to business growth can be one of the biggest challenges for states. Louisiana’s leaders must find revenue-neutral options for removing economic obstacles for business expansion and growth. Furthermore, policies related to insurance, energy, civil justice, and other regulations should balance the needs of the citizens and the needs of business.

Benchmarks to track progress toward Objective 2.8 include:
		State bond rating (Louisiana, state median, national ranking)
		Federal funding flows Federal funds to Louisiana (Louisiana funds to the Federal government and net to Louisiana)
		State Business Climate Ranking (Site Selection magazine)
		Energy prices as a percentage of the Southern average (electricity and natural gas for residential, commercial, and industrial customers)
		Capital investment in electric power infrastructure (power generation facilities, industrial cogeneration facilities, electric transmission lines, substations

GOAL TWO
2.1	Louisiana's Clusters
2.2	R & D
2.3	Access to Capital
2.4	University Technologies
2.5	Entrepreneurship
2.6	Transportation
2.7	I.T. Infrastructure
2.8	Tax, Civil Justice, Regulatory