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FORWARD METRO ST. LOUIS
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The RCGA’s
core mission of sustaining and developing a world-class economy
and community is the center of its public policy initiatives. Our
legislative program champions issues that benefit the entire region,
with particular emphasis on initiatives that: sustain regional growth
and vitality, improve the business climate, strengthen our infrastructure,
enhance our workforce, and develop distinctive business and industry
clusters.
To strengthen the region’s voice on public policy, the RCGA formed
Forward Metro St. Louis a coalition of the RCGA, Civic Progress,
and the Regional Business Council. This coalition developed a unified
public policy agenda, focused on a few major priorities for the
regional business community. One of its priorities, “Home Rule”
for the City of St. Louis, passed an important first step towards
becoming law, when The Missouri General Assembly passed legislation
to allow the issue of “Home Rule” to be placed on the November,
2002 statewide ballot as a Constitutional amendment. If approved
by the voters, the City of St. Louis will have new authority to
reorganize their city and county offices. The ability to reorganize
city and county offices could significantly improve the efficiency
of St. Louis government, thereby expediting ongoing revitalization
efforts. The coalition also raised awareness of our region’s transportation
needs. Forward Metro St. Louis was an integral part of the coalition
that attempted to steer a major transportation funding bill through
the Missouri General Assembly. Last year’s determined efforts laid
the groundwork for the 2002 session by identifying solutions to
increase statewide funding for highways, bridges and transit.
The 2002 public policy agenda is a strategic investment plan for
the future growth of the region. Our priorities will build on public
policies proven to stimulate private investment and create jobs
in our region. By taking action now, our region will have the pieces
in place to become a world-class economy and community.
Above:
RCGA board member Richard Baron (left), president McCormack Baron
& Associates, discusses efforts to revitalize downtown St. Louis
with Missouri Rep. Tom Villa at the RCGA Legislative Reception in
Jefferson City on January 9, 2001.
2001 Legislative Accomplishments
- Debut
year of Forward Metro St. Louis, a dynamic business coalition
united around a few public policy issues that will advance
the region.
- Placement
of a Missouri Constitutional Amendment on the November,
2002 ballot to allow “Home Rule” for the City of St. Louis.
- $21.5
million in funding for plant and life sciences from the
first year of Missouri’s tobacco settlement funds.
- Creation
of additional tax credits in Missouri for brownfield remediation
and redevelopment.
- Creation
of Contiguous Property Redevelopment Fund to assist in
land assemblage of abandoned and underutilized properties
in Missouri.
- Expansion
of job training agreements between employers and Missouri’s
community colleges.
- Creation
of Brownfield Site Restoration Program in Illinois to
aid in the clean-up of environmentally challenged sites.
- Establishment
of affordable housing tax donation credit program to revitalize
aging neighborhoods in Illinois
- Passage
of legislation reallocating simulcasting revenues at Fairmont
Park to aid the Park in maintaining live thoroughbred
racing.
- Protected
redevelopment powers and autonomy of Southwestern Illinois
Development Authority (SWIDA), by blocking an attempt
to remove its “quick-take” authority and an attempt to
consolidate the agency into the Illinois Finance Authority.
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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 Mo. Sen. Paula Carter), Il. Rep. Jay Hoffman, Mo.
Rep. Jim Foley, and Il. Rep. Thomas Holbrook.
2001 Environmental Accomplishments
- Extension
of the deadline to November 2004 to fully comply with
national ozone air quality standards.
- Recorded
only one ozone violation – the second straight year the
region has experienced only one violation.
- Creation
of an air emissions trading and banking program in Missouri
to allow for economic growth without jeopardizing the
environmental compliance.
- Established
regular “Kitchen Cabinet” meetings between the Missouri
DNR Director and senior staff and the leadership of the
RCGA Environmental Council.
- Progress
with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources on writing
new groundwater regulations and on revisions to the Voluntary
Clean-up Program.
- Published
“Brownfield Development Roadmap for Missouri” to assist
developers in understanding the brownfield clean-up process.
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Above:
Scott C. Schnuck RCGA Vice Chairman Public Policy President and
Chief Operating Officer Schnuck Markets, Inc.
Focus for 2002
- Preservation
of economic development tax credits and programs that
have proven to leverage billions of dollars of private
investment.
- Increase
regional multi-modal transportation funding and an increase
in Missouri’s statewide transportation spending.
- Obtain
federal funding for new Mississippi River Bridge
- Permanent
allocation of 20% of Missouri’s tobacco settlement funds
to support plant and life sciences research and capacity.
- Revitalization
of downtown St. Louis with particular emphasis on the
building of Ballpark Village and the new Cardinals Ballpark.
- Additional
funding in Illinois and Missouri for brownfield redevelopment.
- Extension
of “quick-take” authority for SWIDA and retention of Bi-State
Development Agency’s quick-take authority.
- Funding
to establish a School of Pharmacy at Southern Illinois
University-Edwardsville.
- Maintain
active role in the Coalition to Protect the Missouri River.
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