Although a recent Advocate editorial was critical of the changes made to the licensing of florists in the state of Louisiana, there is truly more to the story that needs to be told.
State Rep. Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge, was bold enough to introduce legislation to remove all testing (the objective as well as the subjective portions of the examination) and redefine the current licensing provisions so that anyone could enter this occupation and either sell flowers or make floral arrangements, and do so in a free and open marketplace.
He managed to shepherd this legislation through the legislative process and met with constituents, opponents and the regulatory authorities to craft a compromise whereby any individual can merely take an objective examination, pay a licensing fee and become a florist and sell flowers, and/or make floral arrangements in any type of retail establishment.
To read the rest of this story please go to: The Advocate
