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June 29, 2011
Missouri Governor Nixon Addresses
Fiscal Responsibility, Economic Growth at RCGA Public Policy
Speaker Series
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Missouri Governor Jay Nixon (D) speaks on
the
phase-out of the corporate franchise
tax.
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On June 23rd
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon (D) spoke to a standing room only
crowd of more than 130 business and civic leaders at the
RCGA’s Public Policy Speaker Series
luncheon. The
Governor’s remarks centered on how Missouri’s history
of fiscal responsibility can lay the groundwork for future growth
in the state’s economy. Gov. Nixon maintained
that it is essential to balance the budget and "hold the line on
taxes," noting that he signed legislation this year to
phase out the corporate franchise tax. Elimination of the
corporate franchise tax, which was an outdated double tax on
Missouri businesses, was an RCGA priority this year as part of
the “Fix the Six” business coalition agenda.
Governor Nixon also mentioned the importance
of international trade to the Department of Economic
Development’s five-year strategic plan, touting the fact that Missouri’s
exports were up 35% last year. While he did not mention the
Aerotropolis Trade Incentive bill in his remarks, Gov. Nixon did
say that a special session to address economic development issues
is still a possibility. He said he uses a three-part test
to determine whether to call a special session: the importance of
an issue, the degree of legislative consensus on that issue, and
the ability of the legislature to act quickly on it. While
he believes economic development issues are critical, he is still
evaluating the other two components as legislative leaders
continue their discussions and attempt to reach consensus.
When talking to the news media after his speech, the Governor
said “I think we’ve had good progress the last four
or five weeks.”
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The RCGA's Regional Collaboration Center was
packed for the Public Policy Speaker
Series luncheon featuring Gov. Jay
Nixon.
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The Governor
also emphasized the importance of higher education in building a
21st Century workforce, lauding
Missouri’s two- and four-year colleges and universities for
their high quality. Gov. Nixon stated that he wants
to increase the percentage of Missourians with college degrees
from the current 37% to 60%, and urged unemployed
individuals to look at local community colleges, as their
training programs are in tune with current workforce needs.
Finally,
Gov. Nixon
stressed that he is committed to helping the Missouri communities
affected by the recent natural disasters rebuild and recover,
saying that “in difficult times, Missourians come
together.” He said that while there
have already been some 33,000 volunteers helping with relief
efforts in Joplin, there is still a long way to go because
“the core (of the community) was flattened.” He
lauded Mercy hospital for its commitment to keep all 2,200
workers on its payroll and build a new facility in Joplin.
He also said he appreciates the continued generosity of the St.
Louis business community, including the recent announcement of
Joplin Tomorrow, a fund created by former U.S. Senator John
Danforth to help businesses in the area recover.
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Tom Voss (speaking, second from
left), RCGA Board Chairman and Chairman,
President and CEO of Ameren Corporation;
(clockwise) Governor Jay Nixon; RCGA
board member John Sondag, President of
AT&T Missouri; RCGA board Chair of Public
Policy, Tom Campbell, Managing Partner
of Gallop, Johnson & Neuman LC; and
David Kerr, Director of Missouri's
Department of Economic Development.
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Focus on Illinois: Congressman John Shimkus Speaks to
RCGA Illinois Public Affairs Committee
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U.S. Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL 19) speaks to
the
Committee about the nation's debt
crisis.
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On June 17th
U.S. Representative John Shimkus (R-IL 19) spoke to the RCGA's
Illinois Public Affairs Committee about the federal budget, environmental
regulations, and the national debt ceiling.
Congressman Shimkus explained that more
than
42 cents of every dollar spent by the
federal government is borrowed money, and that the
country is in a debt crisis due to non-discretionary spending on
programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Rep.
Shimkus pointed out that "autopilot" spending by the federal
government has increased from 42% of all spending in 1970 to 62%
of spending today, which has lead to a dramatic increase in the
nation's debt. With regard to the federal debt limit,
Rep. Shimkus said that the U.S. will be penalized by the global
market if it fails to raise the debt ceiling, or if it raises the
debt ceiling without substantial budget cuts. He emphasized
that the cuts "need to be in the trillions, not billions," and
that there aren't any "sacred cows" anymore, as everything is
being scrutinized and cut, from ethanol subsidies to the defense
budget. Rep. Shimkus also said that there is little
to show for the federal government's $1.16 trillion stimulus
package, as unemployment continues to hover above
9%. (Click on either of the slides below to
view Rep. Shimkus' full presentation.)
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"Autopilot" spending is projected to reach
76% of federal spending by 2040.
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Civilian unemployment is dropping after
its recent peak of 10.1%, but it still remains stubbornly high at
9.1%
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Rep. Shimkus speaks to the RCGA's Illinois
Public Affairs Committee members
about job-killing federal
regulations.
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Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Decatur)
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Illinois
Senator Kyle McCarter (R-Decatur) also spoke to
the Committee about the workers' compensation bill that passed
the legislature on May 31st, saying that it was a
"band-aid bill" that only accomplished some of the essential
reforms needed. He also said that the estimated
savings from the measure have been inflated, such that the actual
savings to businesses will be less than predicted. The
original reform bill he supported addressed the program's
causation standard, requiring injuries to occur in the workplace
to be eligible for claims. While he was disappointed that
this version did not pass, he is pleased that the business
community and the public are now more educated on the issue,
saying that there is now an opportunity to fix the loopholes and
make structural reforms in a "trailer bill" next
year. He said that
lawmakers need to work to decrease the number of claims being
filed, as well as the size of claims, and that Illinois
workers' comp rates need to be cut in half to be competitive with
other states.
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Rep. Dwight Kay
(R-Edwardsville)
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State Representative
Dwight Kay (R-Edwardsville) also spoke to the group, noting that
the General Assembly passed a balanced budget for the first time
since
1991. While the legislature's plan does not spend
more than the expected revenue, the budget was balanced by
extending the time for payments to vendors, which means that a
structural deficit still exists. Rep. Kay told the
Committee that even with the recent state income tax increases,
Illinois still has "only $90 million more in the bank than it did
a year ago." He also said that the two biggest
issues still facing the state are unfunded liabilities, which
include pensions, and workers' compensation.
Unfunded liabilities are estimated to be at $30,000 per
person in Illinois. The state pension system costs 18 cents
of every state dollar, and is estimated to increase to 25 cents
within five years if nothing is done to achieve more robust
pension reform. On workers' compensation reform, Rep. Kay
said that the current system rewards workers for bad behavior,
and that it is one of the biggest "job killers" in
Illinois. He emphasized the need for structural reform that
includes a stronger causation standard, and lauded Sen. McCarter
for his efforts to bring about change in this area.
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RCGA Green Business Challenge Participants Show Off
Their Green Products and Services
On June
8th the RCGA's St. Louis Green Business Challenge
organized a Green Products and Services
Expo featuring 30 area companies. The Expo, held at the
Missouri Botanical Garden's Commerce Bank Center for Science
Education, brought together St. Louis Green Business Challenge
participants to learn about new products and services that can
help their companies become more sustainable and
profitable. Exhibit tables featured
products and services on energy efficiency, lighting, waste
management, renewable energy, office products and education (click here for the Expo program).
Seventy-eight companies, institutions, and organizations are
participating in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge - a
program of the RCGA's St. Louis Climate Prosperity
Project. For more pictures from the Green Products and
Services Expo and information on the Challenge, go to www.stlouisgreenchallenge.com
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(from
left) Richard Ockers, Amiah Macon and Kristina Embry of
Laclede Gas present the clean-energy benefits of natural gas.
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Jillian Stanley (left)
and Laura Lock of Brown Shoe Company stand behind the
line of Naya Shoes, which are made from recycled and renewable
materials.
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Jane Barker (left) talks about the green hospitality
principles at the Moonrise Hotel with Glenda Abney of the
EarthWays Center (right) and Anne Klein of St. Louis County (center).
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Tom Bradford of GoGreenSolar Lighting
learns about the St. Louis University Center for Sustainability
from David Webb (right) and Scott Krummenacher
(center).
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Liz Lewis and David
Purdom of The Advertisers Printing Company explain eco-friendly
printing.
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Ryan
Jacobsmeyer of Color Art Integrated Interiors demonstrates the
company's video technology options.
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