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RCGA's Legislative
Program for 2001
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MISSOURI
(*Supported by the RCGA in 2000)
DISTINCTIVE ECONOMIC/ INDUSTRY CLUSTERS
PLANT/LIFE SCIENCES: Support 1) the creation of a $2 million
annual tax credit program for refundable vouchers for research and
development; 2) the review of Missouri state and local tax
structures related to plant and life science industry growth; 3)
the creation of a statewide technology financing authority; 4)
the dedication of a portion of any tobacco settlement money to fund
plant and life science research and development; and 5) the
expansion of the eligibility criteria for the State’s job training
programs for life science companies.
TOBACCO SETTLEMENT*: Support a strategic statewide investment plan
of the Tobacco Settlement funds. The plan should include state investments
in health care, life and health sciences research, anti-smoking
programs and early childhood education. The voters should approve
any plan.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT*: Support an increase in the state’s
Research and Development Tax Credit to $15 million per year. In
addition, set aside $5 million of the credits each year for small
life science companies in Missouri (under 150 employees and not
more than $5 million in revenues). Of the $5 million in tax credits
available for small life sciences companies, reserve $2.5 million
per year for those companies located in distressed communities.
Finally, provide for a higher tax credit for smaller companies located
in distressed communities.
SEED CAPITAL TAX CREDIT*: Support legislation that authorizes the
State to issue $5 million per year and a 60% Tax Credit to those
who invest in qualified emerging companies, which are located in
Distressed Communities. Also support the Innovation Center to gain
a 10% equity interest and profit.
CAPITAL TAX CREDIT*: Support legislation that authorizes the State
to issue $6 million a year for Capital Tax Credits for those who
invest in qualified, emerging companies and reduces the ownership
requirement to 20% from 50%.
REVITALIZATION OF THE REGION’S CENTRAL CITY
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION: Support legislation that establishes a
broad-based public investment strategy that will attract private
investment and revitalize Downtown St. Louis.
HOME RULE FOR THE CITY OF SAINT LOUIS: Support a constitutional
amendment that would allow the voters of the City of Saint Louis
to adopt “home rule” powers.
BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM FUNDING: Support legislation
to appropriate $10 million from general revenue to fund the “Brownfields”
program. Also support legislation that would include demolition
costs as eligible for Brownfield remediation tax credits.
REGION-WIDE INFRASTRUCTURE
TOTAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN: Support: 1) maintaining the present
funding commitment of MODOT to the region; 2) support for
principles of equity, by which the St. Louis region would receive
1/3 of new State highway revenues, 1/2 of State transit revenues,
and cities and counties would receive 30% of new highway revenues;
3) legislation that allows a “design-to-build” bidding process
for highway transportation projects; 4) legislation that
would allow for toll roads in certain instances, with some caveats;
5) the concept of High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes; 6)
the formalization of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation
in contracting; 7) the State’s assuming maintenance of State
arterial roads in the City of St. Louis. Lastly, the RCGA Board
believes that a multitude of funding mechanisms should be considered
when reviewing financing options for a total transportation plan
that will result in new revenues for transportation projects.
STATE APPROPRIATION FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT *: Support increased state
funding to meet the operating needs of public transit systems throughout
the State.
WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT
HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT*: Support programs designed
to enhance and improve education and training opportunities for
students, workers and those needing training to join the workforce,
especially those programs developed through collaborative efforts
with schools, businesses and higher education. Also support investments
in technology, training targeted toward the economic/industry clusters
important to the St. Louis region, “One Stop” Career Centers, and
other public investments in our region’s workforce.
SUPPORT FOR “HOLD HARMLESS” SCHOOL DISTRICTS*: Support increased
funding for Hold Harmless school districts without a tax increase
and while not taking existing money away from other school districts.
REGIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH AND VITALITY
BROAD-BASED TAX RELIEF/BURDEN OF PROOF*: Support legislation that
provides broad-based tax relief such as the reinstatement of Federal
tax deductibility for corporations or an elimination of the corporate
franchise tax. Also support expanding the burden of proof legislation
to include large businesses and tax credits and deductions.
ADDITIONAL ISSUES
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSERS: Support legislation
to clarify that unemployment compensation must be denied in those
cases where a terminated employee is shown to have violated a valid
substance abuse prevention policy, regardless of whether the employee’s
usage may have occurred off the job site or had no discernable impact
on the workplace.
DAMAGE PREVENTION FOR UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE: Support efforts
of one call and others to expand and strengthen those provisions
of the one-call statute that are designed to prevent damage to underground
facilities, subject to review of any specific legislative proposal.
ELECTRIC UTILITY DEREGULATION*: Support, in concept, that the electric
utility industry should be deregulated and opened up for competition.
The RCGA should work with its member companies—large and small —to
determine what plan for deregulation would best serve the entire
community. The RCGA should also educate its members on how this
plan will impact their businesses.
REGIONAL TAXI COMMISSION*: Support a Regional Taxi Commission to
regulate and govern the taxi cab industry throughout the region.
ARTS FUNDING*: Support (1) $5.64 million core budget for the Missouri
Arts Council programs; (2) Transfer of $5.19 million to the Missouri
Arts Council Trust Fund; (3) $400,000 expenditure authority from
Arts Council Trust interest; (4) $302,000 appropriation to core
budget of Missouri Fine Arts Academy.
RISK ASSESSMENT AND COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS*: Support the implementation
of requirement for risk assessment and cost/benefit analyses when
DNR promulgates rules relating to the environment.
MISSOURI STATE ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT PRIVILEGE ACT*: Support legislation
that would protect the confidentiality of communications related
to voluntary internal environmental audits.
VOLUNTARY CLEAN-UP PROGRAM (VCP)*: Support legislation that will
reduce the number of “re-open provisions” in the VCP. Support for
DNR’s commitment to the program. Support revision of the risk-based
assessment program (CALM) in order to provide increased incentives
for redevelopment.
HEALTH CARE PRINCIPLES*: Support sensible, effective health care
reform changes and positions, which preserve business-driven cost
containment and quality control measures.
PUBLIC PURPOSES CLARIFICATION*: Clarify the Missouri Constitution
regarding the definition of public purposes to cover economic development
and job creation for state and local governments.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION*: Support appropriate changes in the Workers’
Compensation law to encourage economic development and provide more
job opportunities in Missouri.
State Earned Income Tax Credit*: Support a State Earned Income Tax
Credit, which would complement the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit
and allow lower-income people to continue to move ahead financially
while not setting them back by taxes.
TRIAL VENUES*: Support legislation allowing defendants in lawsuits
to have a discretionary, one-time right to change the venue for
the trial of matters filed against them.
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT*: Support legislation providing that all lawsuits
against licensed professionals must have merit before they are filed.
STATUTE OF REPOSE*: Support legislation to clarify language of “substantial
completion” and add “economic loss” to the 10-year Statute of Repose.
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING REPRESENTATION*: Support legislation to allow
an individual taxpayer or small business to have the option of representing
their business without an attorney before the Administrative Hearing
Commission.
RECORD RETENTION: Support rule change revising the retention period
of records for auditing purposes from 5 to 3 years.
SECTION 643.055 R.S. MO. - PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL
MATTERS*: Support legislation that prohibits all Missouri environmental
laws from being stricter than or put into effect sooner than federal
law, but permitting the state to regulate in any case based upon
clear and convincing scientific and other evidence on the record
and after public hearing that the pollution to be regulated adversely
impacts public health, welfare or the environment.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI–ST.LOUIS (UMSL)*: Support a $10.6 million
appropriation in FY2002 for continued implementation of the University’s
Master Plan and a $9.4 million appropriation in FY2002 for the Science
Complex renovation and upgrade. Also support approximately $8.0
million in continuing operating monies and over $850,000 in one
time funds for mission enhancement and new partnership opportunities,
providing greater access to educational opportunities.
DISTINCTIVE ECONOMIC/ INDUSTRY CLUSTERS
ILLINOIS ETHYL ALCOHOL PLANTS: Support grants to encourage energy
self-reliance through the establishment of small to medium sized
ethanol plants, which produce ethyl alcohol and other grain bi-products.
ILLINOIS Research and Development Tax Credit: Support a tax credit
program that encourages companies to undertake comprehensive research
and development projects.
REVITALIZATION OF THE REGION’S CENTRAL CITY
ILLINOIS HISTORIC PRESERVATION AGENCY: Support the creation of the
grant program to assist local developers with archaeological studies
and preserve historic findings.
ILLINOIS ENTERPRISE ZONES - BUILDING MATERIAL: Support changes to
the enterprise zone act that will allow the sale of building materials
purchased outside an enterprise zone for enterprise zones to receive
the same benefit as available inside the enterprise zone.
ILLINOIS URBAN REVITALIZATION / AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Support programs
that increase the quality of life in Metro–East communities, which
means better schools, safer neighborhoods, affordable housing, updated
sewers and streets, a cleaner environment, and recreation opportunities.
ILLINOIS BROWNFIELD DEVELOPMENT*: Support a useful brownfield program
that will enhance redevelopment in urban and industrial areas of
the state.
America’s Music Center in East St. Louis*: Support funding from
the state of Illinois at $5 million to begin construction of Phase
I, which includes the building of the museum and infrastructure
improvements to support the AMC. Phase I is estimated to cost $30
million.
ILLINOIS ENTERPRISE ZONES – EXTENSIONS*: Support legislation that
changes the length an enterprise zone shall be in effect from 20
to 30 years, or for a number of years specified in the certified
designated ordinance.
REGION-WIDE INFRASTRUCTURE
ILLINOIS INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS*: Support the following priority
projects in District 8: (1) Illinois First road projects addressed
in the 2001 Budget; (2) Solution to the McKinley Bridge; (3) Continued
progress on an additional bridge across the Mississippi that would
ensure adequate access to Madison and St. Clair Counties; and (4)
Rt. 15 bi-pass study.
ILLINOIS WATER PORTS LOAN PROGRAM*: Support a state appropriation
of $5M to the Illinois Water Port Revolving Loan Program.
ILLINOIS MASS TRANSIT: Support legislation that allows St. Clair
County the proper reporting mechanism to collect Metro-Link Sales
Tax.
REGIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH AND VITALITY
ILLINOIS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS: Support changes to the
Unemployment Insurance Fund that will provide tax relief to employers
and lead to job creation and continued economic growth in Illinois.
ILLINOIS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS: Support changes to the
Unemployment Insurance Fund that will provide tax relief to employers
and lead to job creation and continued economic growth in Illinois.
ILLINOIS MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT: Support Medicaid reimbursements
and adjustments for services to Illinois children at parity with
other Illinois children’s hospitals that legitimately accrue to
St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
REPEAL OF ILLINOIS SALES TAX ON GASOLINE: Support legislation that
will keep gas prices in the Metro-East and St. Louis Region competitive.
ILLINOIS AMERICAN BOTTOM TREATMENT PLANT: Support the Treatment
Facilities effort in increasing debt collection, so that those individuals
and businesses located in the service area are not burdened with
additional assessments as a result of delinquent debt.
ILLINOIS STORMWATER*: An effective and efficient stormwater system
is critical to the economic vitality and development of the St.
Louis region. The stormwater situation in Southwestern Illinois
is in desperate need of study and legislation in order to create
a more effective system. Support a solution to the stormwater problem
facing Southwestern Illinois.
ILLINOIS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION*: Support appropriate changes in
the Workers’ Compensation law to encourage economic development
and provide more job opportunities in Illinois.
DISTINCTIVE ECONOMIC/ INDUSTRY CLUSTERS
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: Support Federal funding for Research and
Development, such as National Aeronautics and Science Administration
(NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes for
Health (NIH), and Housing and Urban Development (HUD), etc.
REVITALIZATION OF THE REGION’S CENTRAL CITY
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT: Support the following initiatives to spur
redevelopment efforts in the center city and other economically
distressed areas:
- Federal
Historic Tax Credit – Restore this Tax Credit to its pre-1986
status that allows investors to receive a 25% Tax Credit
against the costs of rehabilitating an historic building
or a building within an historic district. St. Louis was
the greatest beneficiary of this tax credit throughout
its existence; and would benefit the greatest from its
reinstatement.
- Economic
Incentives for Private Investment – Legislation that offers
several across-the-board incentives for private investment
in distressed areas through tax credits and tax reductions
or elimination.
- Brownfield
Redevelopment – Older, abandoned industrial sites are
very common in distressed areas. Many of these sites have
– or are perceived to have – environmental contamination,
which serves as a disincentive for redevelopment. There
should be direct funding, tax credits and meaningful liability
reform to have a successful Brownfield program.
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REGION-WIDE
INFRASTRUCTURE
TOTAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING: Support the following modes of transportation:
- Highways
and Bridges – Support Missouri and Illinois continuing
to receive their share of highway and bridge money as
well as aggressively seeking additional funding mechanisms,
particularly existing programs for which Missouri and
Illinois may be qualified. Support key bridge projects
such as securing a commitment for future discretionary
funds for the construction of the new Mississippi River
Bridge. This effort also includes the National Corridor
Planning and Development program to identify key corridors
that enhance economic development, such as the Riverview
Drive funding in Missouri.
- Transit
– Support Federal operating and capital funding of transit
needs, including replacement funding for an effective
and enhanced bus system.
- Airports
– Support the expansion of St. Louis Lambert International
Airport as well as federal funding for the smaller airports
throughout the region.
- Rail
– Support and enhance the rail system in the region to
improve the region’s ability to move goods and materials.
- Water
Ports – Support the ports throughout the region, including
Tri-City Regional Port District’s proposal to reuse the
Charles Melvin Price Support Center.
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REGIONAL
ECONOMIC GROWTH AND VITALITY
BROAD-BASED TAX RELIEF*: Support several across-the-board, broad-based
tax reductions that would encourage investment and savings such
as:
- Reduction
or elimination of the capital gains tax
- Reduction
or elimination of taxes on dividends
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Reduction or elimination of the estate/death tax
- Reduction
or elimination of federal unemployment tax
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LOUISIANA PURCHASE
BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION*: Support the establishment of a St. Louis-based
Commission that would promote and coordinate activities associated
with the bicentennial celebration of the Louisiana Purchase.
HOSPITAL REIMBURSEMENT*: Support financial relief from the Federal
Balanced Budget Act for hospitals.
OTHER ISSUES SUPPORTED BY THE ST. LOUIS RCGA
NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS (NAAQS)*: Oppose the EPA’s
attempt to increase the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) for Ozone and Particulate Matter. The St. Louis RCGA should
educate and mobilize its membership on air quality issues.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR*: Support legislative efforts to clarify
the complex independent contractor vs. employee determinations.
MEAL AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES*: Support the restoration of full
deductibility of valid meal and entertainment expenses.
SMALL BUSINESS GOALS IN FEDERAL CONTRACTS*: Support less contract
bundling when feasible, support the swift implementation of the
HUBZone legislation, which is designed to steer federal contracts
to small businesses in economically distressed areas.
OSHA REFORM (SAFE ACT)*: Support the Safety Advancement for Employees
Act (SAFE Act), which reforms OSHA enforcement capabilities to ensure
improved business compliance and worker safety.
CORPORATE AVERAGE FUEL ECONOMY (CAFÉ) STANDARDS*: Support legislation
that would put a moratorium on mandated increases in CAFE for cars
and trucks pending a review by Congress to determine future fuel
economy policy for the country.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE*: Support any legislation or agreement such
as the ones listed above and any others that enhance our member
companies ability to compete in the global economy by breaking down
barriers and increasing export trading. |
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