Checkmate Strategies

06/02/2026

Bill signing ceremony with Governor Jeffrey M Landry on SB 404, a measure that regulates vision plans.

Kudos to Senator Patrick McMath for shepherding this bill through the legislative process. I'm certain this will become a model bill for the nation.

Supported by the optometrists and the opthalmologists, on behalf of our patients

06/02/2026

Sine die- the 2026 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature had their final adjournment before
6 pm this evening.

Thanks to all the legislators, the dedicated legislative staff and fellow Lobbyists for working with Checkmate Strategies on a number of important public policy issues.

Checkmate-Strategies.com

05/14/2026

Moving to a new office and selling things we dont want to take with us

DM if youre interested in
Antique chairs, wooden credenza, 4 shelf bookcase, artwork and oriental rug

05/12/2026

Updated information

02/06/2026

February 1st marked the 31st anniversary of my lobbying and association management firm Checkmate Strategies. I have had the great honor and privilege of representing great clients and public policy issues during the course of three decades! I have passed and defeated hundreds of bills.

Being an effective advocate requires integrity, a keen understanding and knowledge of the subject matter, perseverance, tenacity, great discernment and humility.

I am blessed beyond measure to have such wonderful mentors who have taken the time and interest to help me attain my potential. Im not done yet. I continue to live by this credo- thought by thought, we are co- creating our intention.

01/17/2026

It is not too late to register for our Action Legislature Mock Legislative Session for High School Students

Wednesday 1/21/2026

9:00 am till 2:30 pm

Old State Capitol, 100 North Blvd, Baton Rouge

Register at

checkmatestrategies5.wildapricot.org/events

Or email the name of the student, the high school, contact information for the student and their parent(s) or guardian(s) and we will send you an invoice to cover lunch and educational materials.

The full day program will commence at 9:00 AM. Students can look forward to participating in a mock legislative session, in one of the most beautiful architectural structures in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Registration Fee
$40/ per student

Chaperones Fee
$30 / per person.

For questions contact Cindy Bishop at 225 933 5435 or via email [email protected]

12/22/2025

🚨 Restaurant Owners — Bars, Night clubs and coffee shops

You May Be Owed BIG Money 🚨

If you paid F**A taxes on employee tips in 2022, 2023, or 2024, the IRS likely owes you a refund — often thousands of dollars that most owners miss.

This is a legitimate IRS program (Section 45B) that’s been around since 1993.

💰 Average refunds:

~$5,200 per full-time server
~$2,600 per part-time server

✅ Free assessment
✅ No upfront costs
✅ You don’t pay until you receive your refund

⏰ IMPORTANT: The deadline to claim 2022 refunds is December 31, 2025 — once it’s gone, it’s gone.

👉 Get started now at tiptaxusa.com or call us at 225 933 5435

12/18/2025

Restaurant Owners — You May Be Owed BIG Money 🚨

If your restaurant paid F**A taxes on employee tips in 2022, 2023, or 2024, the IRS likely owes you a refund — often tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars that most owners miss.

This is a legitimate IRS program (Section 45B) that’s been around since 1993.

💰 Average refunds:

~$5,200 per full-time server
~$2,600 per part-time server

✅ Free assessment
✅ No upfront costs
✅ You don’t pay until you receive your refund

⏰ IMPORTANT: The deadline to claim 2022 refunds is December 31, 2025 — once it’s gone, it’s gone.

👉 Get started now at tiptaxusa.com or call us at 225 933 5435

Your Partner in Recovering F**A Tip Credits for small businesses Recover and maximize your F**A tip tax credits with our specialized service for restaurants, bars, and hospitality businesses employing tipped staff.

12/10/2025

Im trying to get the word out to restaurants, bars, coffee shops, night clubs, hotels and motels about the F**a Tip refund. I hate to see businesses miss out on a tax refund that is due to them.

There is an IRS tax refund available for hospitality industry businesses who pay the F**A taxes on tips. This refund can be claimed for 2022, 2023 and 2024. However, the final deadline to file a claim for 2022 is December 31, 2025.
The IRS only allows businesses to go back three years to file for eligible refunds or tax credits.

To start the process of claiming Tip Tax tax refund visit

tiptaxusa.com

When you visit the website you can submit a few details for the CPAs and within 7-10 business days, you will receive a free assessment as to whether your business is eligible for the F**A tip Credit refund, how much of a refund you can expect to receive from the IRS and what it will cost for the CPAs to file the refund on your behalf.

Depending on the amount of the tax tip that you paid in 2022, 2023 and 2024, the F**A Tax Tip refund can be significant.

For more information, contact Cindy Bishop at 225 933 5435 or via email
[email protected]

Your Partner in Recovering F**A Tip Credits for small businesses Recover and maximize your F**A tip tax credits with our specialized service for restaurants, bars, and hospitality businesses employing tipped staff.

12/07/2025

Checkmate Strategies is Hosting the 2026 Action Legislature Youth Mock Session on Wednesday January 21st at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge. The full day program kicks off at 9:00 AM and we wrap up around 3 PM. Special provisions can be made to schools that have to leave earlier to get back to the school campus. Register at

checkmatestrategies5.wildapricot.org/events

Or email your list of students to us at [email protected]

The cost is $40/per student and $30/per chaperone. Includes lunch and materials. This is for all high school students and home schooled students. For more information call 225 933 5435.