Forward Metro St. Louis—a coalition of the Regional Chamber & Growth Association, Civic Progress, Regional Business Council, Partners for Progress and Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois—advances
a unified public policy agenda to develop and sustain
a world-class economy for the bi-state St. Louis
metropolitan region.
Increase transportation funding for
the bi-state region
- Support construction of a new Mississippi River Bridge.
- Engage and educate elected officials and the public
on the urgent need for additional transportation
funding in Missouri.
Enhance the bi-state region’s quality of life,
diversity and economic competitiveness
- Continue to support economic development programs which strengthen the economic competitiveness of Missouri and Illinois.
- Support the Missouri Legislature’s Joint Committee on Tax Policy review of tax credit programs, to ensure continuance and growth of proven programs.
- Support full funding for the Missouri Life Sciences
Trust Fund.
- Codify the “employment at will” doctrine regarding whistleblower status.
Expand opportunities and raise
achievement in K-12 education
- Support stability in the governance of the St. Louis Public Schools and the work of the Special Administrative School Board.
- Support fiscally sound reforms to improve the academic performance of students in underperforming schools and, where necessary, support alternative delivery systems.
Optimize the St. Louis Riverfront
- Support federal action transferring portions of the
Arch grounds to a new regional public purpose entity responsible for developing a cultural and recreational destination which would attract more residents
and tourists.
Issues to Watch
- Engage state policy makers on the issue of shifting the cost of the uninsured to businesses, and closely monitor MoHealthNet, Insure Missouri and Illinois Covered.
- Closely watch limitations on stem cell research
and attempts to reverse or weaken protections approved in the Missouri Constitution in 2006.
- Resist attempts to weaken or ban proven public
policies that encourage diversity in our community.
|
