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(*denotes
new items for 2006)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
TAX CREDITS:
ate sector investment dollars that would not have occurred without
the public subsidy stimulus. Historic preservation tax credits,
brownfield tax credits and distressed communities tax credits are
vital to the revitalization of our central core. Historic tax credits
greatly assist and leverage private investment in the rebuilding
and renovation of historic properties. Without historic tax credits,
Cupples Station, the Convention Center hotels, the Chase Park Plaza,
the City Museum, and Washington Avenue Loft District would not have
been brought back to life. In addition, federal New Markets credits
have raised capital for investment in the Washington Avenue area
and elsewhere in the city of St. Louis; however, Missouri faces
increased competition for those tax credits as other states enact
piggyback credits and the federal government directs aid to hurricane-ravaged
areas. Brownfield tax credits stimulate the reuse of idle or abandoned
industrial sites and provide needed financing for these difficult
projects. The Missouri BUILD, the Quality Jobs program, and venture
capital tax credits are valuable incentives to expand existing companies
and attract new companies to our region. Job training tax credits
assist companies in maintaining a productive and high-quality workforce.
Support the preservation and the expansion of tax credits that
serve to stimulate economic growth for our region and Missouri.
Support flexibility of tax credit programs for their use in job
retention activities. Oppose changes to the Missouri Historic Preservation
Tax credit program. Oppose efforts to cap or reduce the historic
tax credit. Maintain the transferability of the historic tax credit.
Support a modest state tax credit to piggyback the federal New Markets
credit, making it more attractive for these federally-subsidized
investment dollars to be invested in Missouri. Support an increase
in the appropriation to the Brownfield Property Reuse Fund. Oppose
changes that would reduce access to brownfield tax credits.
Without
historic tax credits, Washington Avenue Loft District would
not have been brought back to life. |
CONTIGUOUS PROPERTY
REDEVELOPMENT FUNDING:
As part of the brownfield redevelopment legislation passed by the
Missouri Legis-lature in 2001, a contiguous property redevelopment
fund was established. The Contiguous Property Redevelopment Fund
will provide grants to cities and counties to assist in acquiring
multiple contiguous properties for redevelopment. This fund is not
currently funded and expires in 2006. This fund has the potential
to greatly enhance large-scale development in distressed areas of
the St. Louis region.
Support a five-year renewal of the Contiguous Property Redevelopment
Fund and an appropriation to provide money for cities and counties
to acquire multiple contiguous properties. Support legislation that
will help in the land assembly process in older urban areas.
SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH*:
The fastest growing segment of the St. Louis regional economy is
the small business sector. In the St. Louis region, there are nearly
50,000 businesses with fewer than 50 employees. These small businesses
employ 342,000 and have a total payroll of $11.3 billion. The strength
of small businesses is a key part of the state's economy, but more
needs to be done to improve their ability to expand. Small businesses
can grow when there is infrastructure that encourages and supports
entrepreneurs; however, such a supportive environment does not exist
in Missouri. Small businesses face challenges in accessing capital,
obtaining private and public contracts, training their workforce,
and purchasing affordable health insurance. Missouri is the only
state that does not fund its statewide Small Business Development
Centers (SBDCs). The state's goals in participating in contracts
with women-owned business enterprises have not been met. Tax credits
authorized for small business incubators have not increased for
years. Options to purchase affordable health insurance are limited.
Missouri must aggressively work to improve the environment for small
business in order to increase job growth.
Encourage policies that stimulate an entrepreneurial culture
and enhance the growth of small businesses. Provide direct assistance
to small businesses with high-growth potential such as: grants for
professional services, mentoring and training through the SBDC’s,
greater access to low-interest loans for start-up and expansion
capital or state matching-grants for federal Small Business Innovation
Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
Encourage greater access to markets for minority and women business
enterprises in the public and private sectors. Support accountability
and enforcement studies to ensure that the State of Missouri meets
or exceeds its goals for contracting with minority and women-business
enterprises and that the program goals meet constitutional requirements.
Innovation
Centers and incubators, like the Nidus Center for Scientific
Enterprise— directed by Bob Calcaterra—aid start up companies
with lab or office space, technical assistance and training.
|
VENTURE CAPITAL:
Entrepreneurs need access to early stage capital and assistance
to grow their company. Innovation Centers and incubators, like the
Center for Emerging Technology and the Nidus Center for Scientific
Enterprise, aid start-up companies with lab or office space, technical
assistance and training. In addition, angel investors and SBIR/STTR
grants provide complementary financial resources. If the St. Louis
region hopes to spawn new companies from the industries of the new
economy, more support must be offered by the State of Missouri.
The Certified Capital Company and other venture capital tax credit
programs of the mid and late 1990s were successful in encouraging
private investment and attracting out-of-state capital into emerging
companies. However, these programs have been exhausted for several
years.
Support state policies that expand venture capital funds, angel
capital funds and federal small business R&D grants. Create a new
tax credit program to stimulate investment in life sciences and
other high-technology companies, such as those housed in state-sponsored
or private-business incubators. Support policies that stimulate
commercialization efforts. Create a new tax credit program to stimulate
early stage capital investment in life science and biotechnology
companies. Increase funding to Innovation Centers and to the Center
for Emerging Technology. Establish a tax credit for qualified research
or development expenses, including federal R&D grant programs, in
selected emerging industries with a designated portion set aside
for companies located in distressed communities. Encourage state
pension funds to invest in venture capital funds and in Missouri’s
emerging plant and life science as well as other complementary technology
companies.
PLANT/LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY:
The St. Louis region is a world-class leader in plant and life sciences
research. The State of Missouri should play a crucial role in translating
this research base into a thriving business sector by investing
its public resources to leverage significant private investment.
Starting in fiscal year 2007, the Life Sciences Trust Fund will
receive 25 percent of the tobacco settlement funds. The fund will
allocate resources to build research capacity and to promote life
sciences technology transfer and commercialization. However, in
each year a majority vote of the General Assembly could rededicate
money from the Fund back to general revenue.
Oppose attempts to transfer money from the Life Sciences Trust
Fund into general revenue. Support the further development of wet
lab space and incubators. Support programs that encourage college
and university/business collaboration and strengthen the workforce
for the plant and life sciences industry.
STEM CELL RESEARCH:
The life sciences industry is a critical element of our region’s
economic development future. Our region must provide a welcoming
environment for medical research. Limitations on research will put
the St. Louis region at a competitive disadvantage in attracting
and retaining scientists, entrepreneurs, and life sciences companies.
Support our region’s research community by allowing researchers
to conduct stem cell research, including research associated with
adult, cord blood, early stage stem cells no later than the blastocyst,
and those derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer. Oppose human
reproductive cloning.
INCREASED REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING:
Without increased transportation funding, economic growth in our
region will be stifled. When the voters’ rejected the transportation-funding
referendum in 2002, critical regional improvements to our roads,
bridges, and transit system were shelved. In this environment, it
is essential that the state Highway and Transportation Commission
dedicate to the St. Louis area its fair share of funding. Stable
funding for the region’s transit system is essential for long-range
service and capital planning. Missouri has reduced transit funding
statewide, and Metro has experienced a 65 percent reduction in state
aid over the last four years.
Support a funding formula that reflects the economic strength
and development needs of the St. Louis region. Oppose efforts to
redistribute money away from St. Louis region. Increase statewide
funding for transit with an appropriate percentage directed to METRO.
Without
increased transportation funding, economic growth in our
region will be stifled. |
ROAD SAFETY:
Each year 89 people die on Missouri roads, because they chose not
to use their seat belt. Seat belts have proven to save lives and
reduce serious injuries, yet Missouri’s safety belt usage rate remains
consistently lower than the national average. A primary seat belt
law would enable law enforcement officers to ticket motorists based
solely on an observed seat belt violation. The twenty states with
a primary seat belt law experienced an 11 percentage point increase
in their use rates. This increase would save $5 to $10 million annually
to the Missouri’s Medicaid program from prevented deaths and traumatic
injuries. Additional federal transportation funding could be directed
to Missouri if the primary seat belt law is enacted.
Support passage of the primary seat belt law.
HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT:
The growth and productivity of the Missouri and the St. Louis regional
economy greatly depends upon the skills and qualifications of its
citizens. Our region’s workers must be properly prepared to meet
technological and educational requirements, if they are to succeed
in a competitive global market.
Support increased job and customized job training funding to
provide training for new and expanding businesses. Support job training
funding to aid in the retention of existing businesses. Support
collaborative partnerships with schools, community colleges, community-based
organizations and businesses to enhance and improve educational
opportunities for all students. Support increased funding for workforce
training and skills development with special emphasis on advanced
manufacturing, information technology and life sciences.
(Left
to right): Sen. Chuck Gross and Thomas George
Chancellor of University of Missouri-St. Louis. |
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS:
As a primary provider of the college-educated workforce for the
St. Louis region, the strength of the University of Missouri- St.
Louis directly impacts the strength of the regional economy. For
the last several years, state appropriation to UMSL has not been
commensurate with its mission to become a first class teaching and
research institution. Upgrading facilities and programs at UMSL
is critical for our region’s capabilities in science and technology
and for creating the job opportunities in the new economy.
Support increased funding for the University of Missouri-St.
Louis to correct system-wide equity issues. Support funding for
the continued implementation of the campus master plan toward the
completion of the Business, Technology and Research Park. Support
appropriations to renovate the teaching and scientific research
laboratory space at Benton and Stadler Hall.
HARRIS-STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY:
Harris-Stowe is the only Historically Black College in the region,
and has an over 100-year history of preparing our nation’s teachers.
In 1993, the College was authorized to expand its mission to address
the higher education needs of metropolitan St. Louis in key applied
professional disciplines. In order to fulfill this expanded mission,
a campus expansion plan is underway at the college.
Support funding for the completion of the buildings and infrastructure
outlined in the Harris-Stowe Campus Expansion Master Plan.
Our region’s
community colleges enhance the educational opportunities
and provide a vital role in the education and skill development
of our region’s workforce. |
COMMUNITY COLLEGES:
Our region’s community colleges enhance the educational opportunities
and provide a vital role in the education and skill development
of our region’s workforce. Community colleges also provide substantial
economic benefits to our region, returning $7 of economic activity
for each tax dollar invested.
Support efforts to reach full funding for community colleges.
Support capital funding for maintenance and repair of buildings
and equipment as well as development of new campuses and centers.
Support funding for life sciences initiatives at community colleges
that encourage job training and workforce development, worker training
and economic development.
MISSOURI HIGHER EDUCATION SAVINGS PLAN (MO$T):
Like all states, Missouri offers a 529 higher education savings
plan to encourage savings for postsecondary education. The 529 savings
plans have become one of the most popular methods for college savings.
Earnings in the plan are free from federal and state taxes if used
for qualified higher education expenses, like tuition, fees, room
and board, books or supplies, at any accredited post-secondary institution
in the United States. Additionally, contributions are tax deductible,
up to $8,000 annually per Missouri taxpayer. Missouri residents
who want to take advantage of these tax savings must enroll in the
MO$T plan. The MO$T is currently operated by one fund manager that
only offers three investment options. Missouri residents should
be able to choose a 529 plan which best suits their needs.
Support competition among 529 higher education savings plans
to allow greater options for Missouri residents. Support the continuation
of the state income tax deduction for participation in the 529 higher
education savings plans. Support initiatives that encourage investment
and improved educational opportunities for Missourians.
Richard
Serra’s sculpture in the courtyard of the
Pulitzer Foundation. |
ARTS FUNDING:
Cultural and arts organizations enrich the quality of life of our
community and play an important role in recruiting top-notch workforce
talent. Nearly 13 million people annually attend cultural and artistic
events in our region, creating 4,400 jobs and generating an economic
impact of over $700 million. Many cultural and arts organizations
rely on the Cultural Trust Fund for support. The Cultural Trust
Fund receives revenues from the taxes placed on the earnings of
non-resident professional athletes and entertainers who play or
perform in Missouri. Sixty percent of the fund’s revenue is statutorily
directed to the Missouri Arts Council Trust Fund. Over the last
four years, the athletes and entertainers tax generated over $100
million, yet the Cultural Trust Fund did not receive its entire
allotment as directed by state statute. In recent years, the Missouri
Arts Council tapped into its endowment to support area arts programs,
depleting its resources. The St. Louis region benefits from the
vibrancy of the arts community, and a healthy, stable funding source
is a necessary ingredient for regional economic growth.
Oppose the diversion of funds and restore full funding to the
Missouri Arts Council and Cultural Trust partners as defined in
state statute. Oppose any attempts by other groups to receive revenue
from the athletes and entertainers tax.
In the
shadow of the Gateway Arch, Habitat for Humanity volunteers
assemble window frames for homes they are building for families
in New Orleans. |
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS*:
Metropolitan areas must develop and implement an effective, immediate
medical response to natural disasters, terrorist events, and other
critical incidents. Health care workers need to be deployed to the
incident scene without delay. Currently, healthcare workers are
only insured for actions occurring at the hospitals and offices
where they normally work. During the St. Louis region’s response
to the Hurricane Katrina victims, it took nearly a week for area
healthcare providers to extend their insurance coverage in order
for their employees to provide healthcare services at Lambert Airport.
If an emergency were to directly occur in St. Louis, this delay
would cost lives. A broad based group including representatives
from the St. Louis Area Regional Response System, regional hospital
and health care providers, and state agencies, propose new legislation
to extend liability protection for healthcare workers in a state
of emergency.
Provide liability protection from civil lawsuits to doctors,
nurses, and health care workers who are deployed in response to
a state emergency. Provide liability protection for corporations
and individuals who volunteer their resources and assistance in
response to a state emergency.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS:
The availability of reliable telecommunications and video infrastructure
and access to the newest generation of telecommunications and video
services is a very important decision factor for a business choosing
to locate or expand in a region. High-speed telecommunications and
data exchange is essential to business productivity and operations.
Support policies that encourage investment in technology infrastructure
and promote customer choice. Support policies that establish minimal
regulatory treatment of all new providers of telecommunications
and video services in order to enhance infrastructure investment
and maximize consumer benefits from competition.
EMPLOYMENT AT-WILL*:
The State of Missouri recognizes the doctrine of “employment at-
will”. The employment at-will doctrine states that when an employee
does not have a written employment contract and the term of employment
is of indefinite duration, the employer may terminate the employee
“at-will” within federal or state laws. Missouri’s employment at-will
doctrine has been established through case law and recognizes certain
public policy exceptions to the “at-will” doctrine such as protecting
the employee for “whistle blowing” – if the employer had committed
an illegal act or if the employee refused to perform an illegal
act at the request of the employer. But, a recent Missouri Court
of Appeals ruling purported to expand this doctrine by lowering
the standards of proof in the areas of whistleblower protection
and an employee’s refusal to commit an illegal act. The Court of
Appeals decision would protect employees who merely believe that
the company may in the future commit an act that may or may not
be illegal. Current case law requires employees to prove past illegal
conduct by the employer and/or prove that the employer required
the employee to perform an act that would violate a statute, constitutional
provision or regulation.
Support legislation to codify state case law regarding the at-will
doctrine in order to enhance the state’s business climate. This
legislation would require evidence of wrongdoing on the part of
the employer before an employee may receive whistleblower protection.
Require evidence that any act which the employee refused to conduct
would have violated the law.
LOSS LIMITS:
Missouri law restricts a customer from spending more than $500 every
two hours—the only state that imposes such a limit. The Missouri
Gaming Commission has consistently reported that the loss limit
makes Missouri casinos less competitive than casinos in neighboring
states. No evidence indicates that loss limits restrain problem
gamblers. In a Gaming Commission survey of problem gamblers who
have placed themselves in Missouri’s voluntary exclusion program,
90 percent said the $500 loss limit did not prevent people from
becoming problem gamblers. A lifting of the loss limits could raise
$53 million a year in new revenue to the State due to increased
customers at Missouri casinos. Statutorily, the new tax revenue
would be directed to education, veterans, the state’s college student
loan program, the National Guard, early childhood development programs
and gambling addiction programs.
Support repeal of the $500 loss limit in Missouri’s casinos.
TRAUMA CENTERS:
Trauma is the leading cause of death among Missourians under 35
years old, and among children it claims more lives than all other
diseases combined. Trauma centers and their life-saving services
are vital to the health of a community, but the high cost of maintaining
trauma services and insufficient reimbursement can place an enormous
financial burden on a hospital. The total cost of unreimbursed hospital
care at Missouri’s major trauma centers exceeds $44 million a year,
and a stable long-term funding source has not been established.
Pursue additional funding for trauma centers to maintain high-quality
health care services for the St. Louis community.
Trauma
centers and their life-saving services
are vital to the health of a community. |
CERTIFICATE OF NEED:
The majority of residents in our community receive health insurance
through their employer; therefore, businesses have a strong interest
in controlling their health care costs. The proliferation of excess
medical capacity can increase health insurance premium costs to
employers. Current regulations have contained health care costs
through oversight of unnecessary medical capital expenditures; however,
specialty providers do not receive the same degree of oversight.
Support changes in the certificate of need regulations to ensure
a level-playing field between hospitals and specialty providers.
The RCGA Environmental Council advocates for policies that appropriately
balance environmental quality concerns with business needs. Economic
growth in our region depends on sound environmental policy and a
consistent, efficient, and transparent regulatory process. The Environmental
Council is currently involved in several policy development issues:
CERTIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONAL:
The permitting process at the Department of Natural Resources has
been criticized for interminable delays and an inconsistent review
process. Allowing “certified environmental professionals” to submit
permit applications has lessened the permit-approval process in
other states, without comprising environmental quality. These state-registered
professionals, with years of experience and proficiency, can validate
the merits of a permit; thereby speeding up the review of staff
to process the application. A quicker, yet complete, review process
will facilitate economic development without jeopardizing environmental
protection.
Support the creation and use of “certified environmental professionals”
in the permitting process.
AUDIT POLICY:
The business climate in the region could be improved by implementing
an audit policy privilege and pre-enforcement notification. Similar
to U.S. EPA policy, a state audit policy would allow regulated businesses
to identify and report relatively minor noncompliance actions without
fear of sanctions. Pre-enforcement notification would require that
the agency provide notice of the alleged noncompliance and make
an effort to informally resolve the matter prior to the commencement
of a formal enforcement action. Many of these compliance issues
could be resolved through more informal interaction with regulators.
Support the establishment of audit policy and pre-enforcement
notification.
LEGALLY CHALLENGING AGENCY POLICY STATEMENTS:
Regulatory consistency would be improved by allowing businesses
to challenge an agency’s guidance document or policy statement.
A recent court decision shields these unpromulgated rules from legal
challenge, opening the door for an agency to implement policy using
internal guidance documents and policy statements rather than formally
adopted rules developed through a stakeholder process.
Support legislation to allow DNR guidance documents and policy
statements to be challenged in court.
REGIONAL AIR QUALITY STANDARDS:
The implementation of federally mandated air quality standards will
occur in the St. Louis region starting in 2007, and the RCGA Environmental
Council continues to work with appropriate stakeholders to ensure
that the St. Louis region complies with the latest air quality standards
for ozone and particulate matter.
Support a decentralized inspection/maintenance program that allows
the St. Louis region to meet federal-mandated air quality standards.
The implementation
of federally mandated air quality standards will occur in
the St. Louis region starting in 2007. |
ADDITIONAL POSITIONS:
• Support reauthorization of the water quality fee, with assurances
that program-specific fees are protected for their intended purpose.
• Support policies that favor appropriate deed notifications to
facilitate the reuse of contaminated property. |
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