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RCGA's Legislative
Program for 2002
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Missouri (*Supported
by the RCGA in 2001)
Distinctive Economic Industry Clusters
Plant/Life Sciences*: Support a 20% ($32.5 million) permanent
allocation of the tobacco settlement dollars to increase plant and
life sciences research capacity. Support programs and policies that
further development of wet lab space and incubators. Support programs
and polices that grow venture capital funds and support commercialization
efforts ("pre-incubator" stage). Support programs that encourage
university/business collaboration and that strengthen the workforce
for the industry.
Tobacco Settlement*: Support a permanent allocation of the
tobacco settlement funds with these percentages: 60% for health
care, 20% for life sciences research, 10% for anti-smoking programs,
and 10% for early childhood education
Research & Development Tax Credit*: Support an increase
in the State's Research and Development Fund to $15 million per
year. Set aside $5 million of the credits each year for small life
sciences 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. 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 that are located in distressed
communities. Support the Innovation Center attempts 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. Reduce the ownership
requirement to 20%.
Above:
Recipients of the 2001 Lewis & Clark Statesman Award who were
honored for their legislative leadership in advancing the St. Louis
region are (left to right): Mo. Rep. O.L. Shelton, Mo. Sen. Anita
Yeckel, Il. Sen. Frank Watson, Mo. Rep. Catherine Hanaway, RCGA
Chairman John Bachmann, RCGA President and CEO Dick Fleming, Mo.
Rep. Derio Gambaro, Keena Carter, St. Louis Alderman Greg Carter
(accepting for the late Mo. Sen. Paula Carter), Il. Rep. Jay Hoffman,
Mo. Rep. Jim Foley, and Il. Rep. Thomas Holbrook.
Revitalization of the Region's Central City
Downtown Revitalization/Ballpark Village/Cardinals Ballpark:
Support legislation authorizing funding for the new Cardinals Ballpark
and Ballpark Village. Support the memorandum of understanding between
the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County and the State of Missouri.
Support increased funding for historic tax credits and other public
investment strategies that will revitalize downtown.
Brownfield Redevelopment Grant Program Funding*: Support
an increase in the appropriation from general revenue to $10 million
to fund the Brownfield program.
Contiguous Property Redevelopment Funding: Support an appropriation
to the Contiguous Property Redevelopment Fund to provide money for
cities and counties to acquire multiple contiguous properties.
Region-Wide Infrastructure
Total Transportation Plan: Support increased statewide funding
by a minimum of $600 million per year for highway, roads, bridges,
transit, and ports. Support principles of equity by which the St.
Louis region would receive 33% of new State highway revenue, 50%
of State transit revenues, and cities and counties would receive
30% of new highway revenues. Support legislation that allows a "design-to-build"
bidding process for highway transportation projects. Support legislation
that would allow toll roads in certain instances, with some caveats.
Support the assuming of maintenance of the State arterial roads
in the City of St Louis. Support the formalization of Disadvantaged
Business Enterprise participation in contracting.
State Appropriation for Public Transit*: Support increased
funding for transit statewide. Support the inclusion of increased
transit funding in a statewide transportation funding bill.
Workforce Enhancement
Higher Education and Workforce Development*: Support collaborative
partnerships with schools, businesses and community colleges (such
as Tech Prep) to enhance and improve educational opportunities for
all students. Support increased funding for workforce training and
skills development with special emphasis on manufacturing and life
sciences.
University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL)*: Support increased
funding for UMSL to more closely equal UMSL's percentage of students
served in the entire University of Missouri system. Support the
funding of $11 million in FY 2003 and $9.4 million in FY 2004 to
the continued implementation of the SASAKI master plan. Implementation
of the master plan includes planning, construction, and renovation
of new and existing infrastructure, the acquisition of property
for future academic programming, renovation of the General Services
Building, and a new police station. Support renovation appropriations
of $9.8 million in FY 2003 and $7.4 million in FY 2004 for teaching
and research laboratory space at the UMSL Science complex. Upgrading
these facilities is critical to UMSL's central role in the development
of the health, plant, and life sciences cluster of our region's
economy.
Harris-Stowe State College*: Support the implementation of
funds already appropriated by the State for FY 2001, in the amount
of approximately $5.2 million for the construction of an Early Childhood
and Parenting Education Building. Significant corporate and foundation
gifts for the Early Childhood building and related programs have
already been made, and others are pending based on receipt of State
funding. Support the College's request of $150,000 in FY 2001 for
the installation of a new elevator in the College's main administration
building in order to comply with ADA regulations. Support a capital
appropriation of approximately $2 million in FY 2003 for the design
of the College's Business Administration Classroom Building as proposed
in the Harris-Stowe Campus Expansion Master Plan. Support funding
of $500,000 in FY 2003 for the construction of a water loop on the
campus. Which is necessary to insure an adequate water supply for
the College's new buildings.
Community Colleges*: Support capital funding for maintenance
and repair, and construction of new facilities such as Florissant
Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center, South County Educational Center
and a West County facility. Support funding for the Consolidated
Technology Initiative (CTI) which will allow two and four-year schools
to develop instructional technology infrastructures.
"Hold Harmless" School Districts*: Support increased funding
for "Hold Harmless" school districts without a tax increase and
without taking existing money away from other school districts.
Regional Economic Growth and Vitality
Preserving Economic Development Tax Credits: Support the
preservation and expansion of tax credits that serve to stimulate
economic growth for our region and State. Support preservation of
historic tax credits and brownfield redevelopment tax credits. Support
re-authorization of funding for the Missouri BUILD economic development
program for another $75 million.
Sport Facilities: Support the concept of an appropriate level
of re-investment of the state sales taxes generated at publicly-owned
major Missouri professional sports facilities for the development,
expansion, refurbishment and/or maintenance of such facilities as
a means to stimulate continued and enhanced economic development
in the state and local community.
Business Climate
Certificate of Need: Support a five-year extension of the
certificate of need regulations. Support changes to the certificate
of need regulations that would simplify the law and allow the process
to be less bureaucratic and costly. Support changes in the certificate
of need regulations to ensure a level-playing field between hospitals
and specialty providers.
Election Reform: Support the election reform efforts to ensure
the highest integrity of our voting process.
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.
Electric Utility Deregulation*: Support, in concept, that
the electric utility industry should be deregulated and opened 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 to govern the taxicab industry.
Risk Assessment and Cost/Benefit Analysis*: Support the implementation
of the 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
DNR's commitment to the program. Support revision of the risk-based
assessment program (CALM) in order to provide increased incentives
for redevelopment.
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 keep more of their earnings.
Trial Venues*: Support legislation allowing defendants in
lawsuits to have a discretionary, one-time right to change the venue
for the trail 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.
Records Retention*: Support rule changes revising the retention
period of records for auditing purposes from five to three years.
Federal Application of Missouri Environmental Rules*: Support
legislation that prohibits all Missouri environmental laws from
being stricter than or put into effect sooner than federal law,
but permits the State to regulate in any case based upon clear and
convincing scientific and other evidence (on the record and after
a public hearing) that the pollution to be regulated adversely impacts
public health and welfare of the environment.
Illinois (*Supported
by the RCGA in 2001)
Distinctive Economic/Industry Clusters
Co-generation Facility for Steam and Electric Energy: Support
the construction of a co-generation facility for the operations
of Granite City Steel.
Construction Manager: Support the efforts of the construction
industry to allow state agencies to hire a construction manager
for services in the planning and pre-construction phase and in the
construction phase of a project.
Illinois Investments in the New Economy*: Support timely
access to seed capital for sustaining growth of new technology-based
enterprises. Support an increase in the availability of venture
capital, in order to fully capitalize on the State's continuing
investment in science and research institutions, and to assist emerging
biotechnology businesses, and to strengthen Illinois' growing prominence
in the area of information technology.
Illinois Commercial Feed Act*: Oppose the Illinois Commercial
Feed Act, if legislation is directed toward the pet food industry.
Agricultural Producer Protection*: Oppose unnecessary review
and requirements on agricultural production contracts.
Regional Economic Growth and Vitality
Brownfield Funding*: Support the appropriate funding for
the newly-created Brownfield Site Restoration program.
Research and Development Tax Credit*: Support a tax credit
program that encourages companies to undertake comprehensive research
and development projects.
Historic Preservation Tax Credit*: Support historic preservation
tax credits to assist developers in rehabilitating historically
significant buildings in our region.
Historic Preservation Study Grants*: Support a pilot program
to offer grants to conduct archaeological or historic site survey
projects.
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, and a cleaner environment.
SWIDA Quick-Take Authority: Support a two-year extension
of SWIDA's quick take authority. This authority allows for SWIDA
to further economic development and is a necessary tool to help
develop important projects in Madison and St. Clair counties.
Quick-Take Authority*: Support the retention of quick-take
powers by local governmental authorities.
SWIDA Consolidation into Illinois Finance Authority*: Support
the retention of SWIDA as an independent and autonomous agency
Illinois Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission: Support the
Illinois Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission planning efforts
to commemorate the significance of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
to Illinois and national history.
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.
Region-Wide Infrastructure
Air Carrier Planning Grants: Support legislation that will
benefit Mid-America Airport and other regional airports in Illinois
by assisting in their efforts to recruit and retain air carriers
at the airport.
Illinois Infrastructure Improvements*: Support the following
priority projects IDOT District 8: (1) Illinois FIRST road projects
addressed in the 2001 Budget, (2) the McKinley Bridge, (3) an additional
bridge across the Mississippi that would ensure adequate access
to Madison and St. Clair Counties, and (4) Route 158 bi-pass study.
Stormwater Management*: Support a solution to the stormwater
management issues facing Southwestern Illinois.
Bi-State Quick-Take*: Support "quick-take" powers for the
Bi-State Development Agency to streamline the acquisition of properties
for MetroLink expansion.
Elimination of Highway Tolls in Northern Illinois*: Support
the retention of highway tolls in Northern Illinois.
Workforce Enhancement
SIUE-School of Pharmacy: Support the following program requests
for the SIUE School of Pharmacy: a proposed budget of approximately
$4.4 million, based on the FY 2000 base. The $4.4 million includes
$1.7 million from tuition revenue and $2.7 million from state general
revenue. Support the following capital projects funding requests:
total project cost including CDB fees, site preparation, construction
observation costs, escalation costs, reimbursable expenses, A/E
fees, and Art-in-Architecture costs are estimated at $19 million.
Workers Compensation/Balance Billing: Support appropriate
changes in the Workers' Compensation law to encourage economic development
and provide more job opportunities in Illinois.
Federal (*Supported
by the RCGA in 2001)
Revitalization Of The Region's Center City
Community Redevelopment*: Support the following initiatives
to spur redevelopment efforts in the center city and economically
distressed areas: *Federal Historic Tax Credit Ð Restore this Tax
Credit to its pre-1986 level that allows investors to receive a
25% Tax Credits 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 greatly benefit from its reinstatement. *Brownfield Redevelopment
Ð 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.
Chouteau Lake District and Technology Campus: Support the
concept of Chouteau Lake and Technology Campus and support the Army
Corps of Engineers study. The Corps has funding available to study
the feasibility of redevelopment projects that connect to riverfronts.
Future funding for Chouteau Lake District and Technology Campus
will come from a variety of sources, encompassing private, local,
state and federal funds.
HUBZone Legislation In Federal Contracts*: Support the swift
implementation of the HUBZone legislation, which is designed to
steer federal contracts to small businesses in economically distressed
areas. Also, support less contract bundling when feasible.
Regional Economic Growth and Vitality
Research And Development*: Support the making permanent or
re-authorization of the Federal Research and Development Tax Credit.
Also, continue to support increased Federal funding in research
and development, at the National Aeronautics and Science Administration
(NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes for
Health (NIH), and National Cancer Institute (NCI).
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)*: Support
granting the EPA the flexibility in implementing the regulations
of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Ozone
and Particulate Matter.
Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial*: Support an appropriation
that would promote and coordinate activities associated with the
bicentennial celebration of the Louisiana Purchase.
Region-Wide Infrastructure
Multi-Modal Transportation Funding*: Support the following modes
of transportation:
- Highways
and Bridges
- Support Missouri and Illinois in continuing to receive
their share of highway and bridge money as well as aggressively
seek additional funding mechanisms, particularly existing
programs for which Missouri and Illinois may be qualified.
- Transit
- Support federal operating and capital funding of transit
needs, including replacement funding for an effective
and enhanced bus system.
- Airports
- Support federal funding for Lambert Airport and Mid-America
Airport and 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.
- Ports
- Support the conversion of the Charles Melvin Price Support
Center in the Tri-City Port District from military to
civilian uses. Specifically, support the Port District's
efforts for three Department of Defense requests: (1)
$1.6M for infrastructure and physical plant alterations;
(2) $ 1.7M for planning and design of a new U.S. Army
Reserve Center at CMPSC; and (3) $1.3M for demolition
of buildings on the site of the new U.S. Army Reserve
Center.
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Mississippi
River Bridge*: Support and pursue designated funding for the
Mississippi River Bridge in the 2003 TEA-21 Transportation legislation.
River Lock and Dams: Support upgrading seven locations with
1,200-foot lock capacity and five locations with 1200-foot guidewall
extensions located on the Upper Mississippi and the Illinois rivers.
Failure to make these improvements will depress the value of corn,
soybeans and wheat to Midwestern farmers by $364 million in 2020.
Waterway Investments: Support a greater disbursement to the
St. Louis region from the per gallon fuel tax that funds waterway
investments.
Missouri River Water Flow: Support decisions reached on the
operations on the Missouri River only with the direct involvement
of all states, and industries that rely on the Inland Waterways
System. Also, support an interagency group, including the Secretaries
of Transportation and Agriculture, to review the implications of
these proposals prior to implementation.
Workforce Enhancement
Welfare-to-Work Programs: Support reauthorization of TANF
with built-in flexibility for states to design programs that meet
the workforce needs of businesses.
Business Climate Issues
Broad-Based Tax Relief*: Support the reduction or elimination
of the capital gains tax. Support reform of the Alternative Minimum
Tax statutes to reduce its complexity.
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards*: Support
legislation that would put a moratorium on mandated increases in
CAFE for cars and trucks.
International Trade*: Support and promote fair trade legislation
or agreements that enhance our member companies' ability to compete
in the global economy by breaking down barriers and increasing export
trading. Also, monitor the federal currency policies, which could
adversely affect American companies.
Civil Justice Reform*: Support responsible and common sense
tort and civil justice reform.
Patient Bill Of Rights*: Oppose the unreasonable expansion
of liability to employers. Support tax changes that make health
insurance more affordable and accessible. Oppose mandates that undermine
employers' ability to provide high quality health insurance at a
reasonable cost to employees.
Meal and Entertainment Expenses*: Support the restoration
of full deductibility of valid meal and entertainment expenses.
U.S.-Canada Border Security: Support increased appropriations
for immigration and customs functions on the U.S.-Canada border
to increase the capacity of U.S. Customs to monitor the crossing
of manufactured goods.
Aviation Security: Support legislation that improves airport
and airline security.
Displaced Airline Worker Assistance: Support legislation
to extend benefits and wages of those airline and airport employees
who have lost their job as a result of the September terrorist attacks.
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