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WHAT'S What
2003 Federal Legislative Program
(*Supported
by the RCGA in 2002)
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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT*
St. Louis is fortunate to have several institutions of higher learning–Saint
Louis University, University of Missouri–St. Louis, Washington University
and Southern Illinois University –Edwardsville–which are home to
some of the brightest minds in the country. Additionally, a large
number of companies involved in research and development call the
St. Louis region home. Cutting edge research occurs everyday at
these institutions, resulting in a number of patents waiting for
approval. Very often, this research generates new products that
are ready for the marketplace; thus, creating new businesses and
new job opportunities for our region. Support the making permanent
or re-authorization of the federal Research and Development Tax
Credit.
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).
LOUISIANA PURCHASE BICENTENNIAL*
A group of local historical entities, including the Missouri Historical
Society and the David Francis Society are supporting an appropriation
to promote and coordinate activities associated with the commemoration
of the purchase of the Louisiana Territory, as well as the first
exploration of that territory by the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
The commemoration will occur in Illinois and Missouri and will generate
substantial economic activity throughout our region.
Support an appropriation that would promote and coordinate activities
associated with the bicentennial celebration of the Louisiana Purchase.
TRANSPORTATION FUNDING*
Having a first-class infrastructure and transportation system is
key to the growth of the St. Louis region’s economy. St. Louis is
in the center of the country, strategically located to be a major
transportation hub for the national and international economy. Whether
it is the interstates, rail system, airports or water ports, all
of these modes must be fully utilized to maximize their economic
benefit to the region.
Support the reauthorization of the surface transportation legislation.
For the following modes of transportation support:
Highways and Bridges–Support Missouri and Illinois in
continuing to receive their share of highway and bridge money. Aggressively
seek additional funding mechanisms, particularly existing programs
for which Missouri and Illinois may be qualified.
Transit–Support federal funding of transit needs, including
adequate vehicle replacement funding for an effective and enhanced
bus system.
Airports–Support federal funding for Lambert Airport expansion
plan and for airports throughout the region.
Rail–Support enhancement of the rail system in the region
to improve the region’s ability to move passengers and freight.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE*
Free flow of people, goods and services in the core of St. Louis
is restricted by traffic from three interstates (I-70, I-55, and
I-64) squeezing through a single Mississippi River bridge crossing
(the Poplar Street Bridge). Peak hour congestion could double in
the next 20 years, leading to failure of the transportation system.
The New Mississippi River Bridge will create a new river crossing
and will relocate Interstate 70 and Illinois Route 3. This project
will improve access and circulation in downtown St. Louis. It will
also enhance our region’s air quality by reducing congestion. The
project costs $1.6 billion and will generate more than $2.6 billion
of economic benefit to our region, plus the benefits from the lives
and injuries saved by a safer roadway system. The Illinois Department
of Transportation and the Missouri Department of Transportation
have made this project their top priority for federal funding. If
funding is secured this year, construction of the bridge could start
in 2004 and could be completed by 2010.
Support and pursue designated funding for the Mississippi River
Bridge in the reauthorization of the federal surface transportation
legislation.
RIVER LOCK AND DAMS*
More than 60% of the U.S. grain exports reach world markets via
the upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, contributing $14 to $18
billion per year in international trade. The port of Metropolitan
St. Louis shipped and received 32.6 million tons in 1999, worth
over $5 billion, making St. Louis the third-busiest inland port
in the United States. A modal transfer of this tonnage would require
an additional 1,260,533 trucks through the metropolitan St. Louis
area alone, increasing road traffic, noise and air pollution. Building
materials, gasoline and road salt are just a few commodities that
would cost hundreds of millions of dollars more to consumers in
the St. Louis metropolitan area, if the river locks and dams were
closed. An upgrade to the river lock and dam system is desperately
needed to maintain the volume of shipments along the Mississippi.
Construction at the five proposed lock sites along the Mississippi
from St. Louis to Hannibal/Quincy would produce an estimated 6,000
jobs annually over 10 to 15 years.
Support upgrading seven locations with 1,200-foot lock capacity
and five locations with 1,200-foot guidewall extensions located
on the upper Mississippi and the Illinois Rivers.
MISSOURI RIVER WATER FLOW*
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service are discussing plans to drastically change the management
of the Missouri River. A full review was scheduled for completion
by 2003, but the legal conflicts of last spring and summer extended
the deadline. The legal conflicts closed navigation on the Missouri
River from mid-July to late August 2002 and cost the St. Louis regional
economy more than $7 million from lost commercial and tourist business.
A modification to the river’s annual operating plan proposes a spring
rise and a low summertime flow for the Missouri River in order to
increase water flow in the Red River Basin in the Dakotas. In the
St. Louis region, the spring rise will increase the risk of flooding,
and the low summertime flows will halt river navigation and adversely
affect power plant facilities and water supply.
Support the Current Water Control Plan for the Missouri River.
Oppose changes to the river management plan without the direct involvement
of all states and industries whose economies are affected by the
river.
ST. LOUIS REGIONAL GREENWAYS PLAN
The Water Resources Development Act will authorize future appropriations
for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects and programs.
This Act presents an opportunity for funding of a bi-state network
of bike trails, linear parks, and greenways in the St. Louis area.
The St. Louis Regional Greenway Plan contains the plans from the
Confluence Greenway Master Plan, the Metro East Regional Greenway
Plan and other local plans. The projects in the plan include habitat
restoration, improving aquatic recreation areas and waterways, and
improving public access to the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
The St. Louis Regional Greenways Plan also includes the plans for
the Chouteau Lake District. Local funding for the greenways plan
comes from 1/10th of a cent sales tax passed in 2000, and so far
more than $60 million have been committed from local sources.
Support passage of the Water Resources Development Act that includes
authorization for the St. Louis Regional Greenways Plan.
CORPORATE AVERAGE FUEL ECONOMY (CAFE) STATNDARDS*
The law governing the setting of CAFE standards differs for passenger
cars and light trucks. The law requires the U.S. Department of Transportation
to set truck CAFE standards for future years, forcing frequent reviews
and re-writes of new light truck standards. Average light truck
fuel economy was raised by more than 25% in the late ’70s and early
’80s, but truck CAFE standards have been held to very modest increases
since then. The popularity of minivans, sport utility vehicles and
pick-up trucks has doubled the truck market share in the U.S. to
more than 40%, and the Big Three domestic companies hold more than
85% of this light truck market. The Asian companies’ small truck
sales volume has permitted them to accumulate many CAFE credits,
which could be used by them to buffer any sudden increase in CAFE
standards. Thus, the effect of a truck CAFE increase would be to
cede Big Three market share of the bigger, more powerful trucks
to Japanese manufacturers. With St. Louis being the home to manufacturing
facilities of all the Big Three companies, CAFE increases would
have a deleterious effect on our region’s economy.
Support legislation that would put a moratorium on mandated increases
in CAFE for cars and trucks.
WELFARE-TO-WORK PROGRAMS*
In 1996, Congress enacted the federal welfare reform law known as
the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation
Act. The law eliminated federal entitlements and placed time limits
on families to leave welfare and find employment. Congress dispersed
the money for welfare as a block grant to each state, and gave every
state flexibility in spending the block grant. The new welfare program,
renamed Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), has reduced
welfare caseloads by 60% in Illinois and 50% in Missouri.
Support reauthorization of TANF with built-in flexibility for
states to design programs that meet the workforce needs of businesses.
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT*
The RCGA strongly believes that for the St. Louis region as a whole
to flourish, our economically distressed areas must be revitalized.
The business sector must take a leadership role in achieving this
goal and work with the public sector. Strategic public policies
can foster public/private partnerships to successfully leverage
private investment in these areas.
Support the following initiatives to spur redevelopment efforts
in the center city and economically distressed areas:
Federal Historic Tax Credit–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–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.
New Markets Tax Credits–These tax credits can spur the creation
of an investment pool to further economic development in distressed
areas of our region. The investment pool can be used for business
lending to attract industry to distressed or underserved areas,
land assembly, remediation, or acquisition for commercial or industrial
development, equity funding to assist in business start-ups, and
gap financing for large real estate projects.
CHOUTEAU LAKE DISTRICT AND TECHNOLOGY CAMPUS*
As a result of its work at Cupples Station, McCormack Baron saw
the opportunity to expand downtown’s renaissance by reintroducing
a major water feature in a blighted but highly visible area just
south of I-64/U.S. 40. The centerpiece—Chouteau Lake District and
Technology Campus—will become the anchor for a series of redeveloped
downtown “neighborhoods” and would generate more than $15 billion
in private investment activities. The Lake District, featuring waterfront
plazas, a variety of housing choices, museum and park spaces, will
connect the near Southside neighborhoods to the historic core and
the newly developed regional riverfront trail system.
HUBZONE LEGISLATION IN FEDERAL CONTRACTS*
Federal law currently requires certain government agencies to award
a percentage of their purchasing contracts to small, women-owned,
and minority businesses. Likewise, federal law also requires large
prime contractors in the private sector who receive awards from
these agencies to establish goals for subcontracting to small, women-owned
and minority businesses. This greatly enhances the ability for growth
and prosperity in the small business sector—the largest growing
sector of the economy.
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.
BROAD-BASED TAX RELIEF*
With the slowing-down of the national economy, tax relief can provide
a needed stimulus to revive spending and investment by businesses.
Further capital gains tax reform is needed. A lower capital gains
tax rate will spur investment activity, create jobs and expand the
overall economy, benefiting individuals of all income levels.
Support the reduction or elimination of the capital gains tax.
Preserve the tax cuts and tax relief enacted in the Economic Stimulus
Act of 2001.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE*
Many RCGA member companies trade their goods and services all over
the world. An increase in exports directly benefits our region by
creating jobs and economic development activity. The United States
leads the world economy and has the ability to compete with any
country because of its workforce, creativity and ingenuity. The
United States, therefore, can only benefit from fewer trade barriers
and more trading partners. Trade agreements such as the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the General Agreement on Tariffs and
Trade (GATT), Fast Track, Normal Trade Relations (NTR) with China
all achieve this goal and historically have been supported by the
RCGA.
Support and promote fair trade legislation or agreements that
enhance our member companies’ abilities to compete in the global
economy by breaking down barriers and increasing export trading.
CIVIL JUSTICE REFORM*
Frivolous liability lawsuits have become more frequent and very
expensive for the business community. These types of lawsuits are
hidden taxes on corporations and deter growth and economic expansion.
Support responsible and common sense tort and civil justice reform.
HEALTH CARE COVERAGE*
Nearly two-thirds of Americans receive their health insurance coverage
from their employers. However, in the last three years employers
have experienced double-digit increases in their health care costs,
and small businesses have been hit the hardest. More and more small
businesses are opting not to offer health insurance to their employees,
a significant reason why one in seven Americans are without insurance
coverage.
Support pooled-purchasing associations to offer self-insured
coverage under ERISA to small businesses, individuals, and the self-employed.
Support above-the-line deductions for individuals who pay their
own health insurance premiums. Reform the medical malpractice liability
system. Oppose the unreasonable expansion of liability to employers.
Oppose new mandates that undermine employers’ abilities to provide
high quality health insurance at a reasonable cost to employees.
MEAL AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES*
Many small businesses use meals and entertainment as a primary selling
tool. Business owners would not spend money on meals and entertainment
if it did not serve a valid business purpose, and these expenses
should be treated as “ordinary and necessary” business expenses.
However, under current law the deduction for meals and entertainment
is limited to 50% of the total amount spent. Before 1986, the deduction
was 100%.
Support the restoration of full deductibility of valid meal and
entertainment expenses.
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