March 2,
2011
Missouri Legislators Work to Create Jobs,
Improve State's Business Climate
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Steve Johnson,
Executive Vice
President - Economic
Development for the
St. Louis
RCGA
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RCGA's Steve Johnson, Executive Vice
President of Economic Development, will testify before
the Senate Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government
Committee this afternoon in support the new "Compete
Missouri" proposal (SB 279), which is sponsored by Sen. Eric Schmitt
(R-Glendale), who Chairs the committee. A similar
bill, HB 670 sponsored by Rep. Lincoln
Hough (R-Springfield), has also been filed in the
House.
Compete Missouri would streamline
and simplify Missouri's economic development tools by combining
six business incentive programs -- Quality Jobs,
Enhanced Enterprise Zones, BUILD, Development, Rebuilding
Communities, and Business Facilities -- with a combined annual
cap of $111 million for FY 2012. The new program
would provide additional benefits for existing Missouri companies
and targeted industries identified by the Department of Economic
Development's "Strategic Initiative for Economic
Growth." It would also allow DED to award up-front
incentives in certain situations, providing a balance of
performance-based and discretionary funding. The new
program would also modify sales and use tax exemptions, as well
as workforce training programs, to reflect the best practices of
other states, increase efficiency, and insure accountability.
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Jay DeLong, Vice
President of New
Ventures and Capital
Formation for the
St. Louis
RCGA.
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The RCGA also recently testified in
support of several important bills that would allow the state to
spur high-tech entrepreneurial growth by investing in innovation
and capital formation. The
Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act, HB
468 sponsored by Rep. John Diehl (R-Town
& Country), was heard in the House Economic
Development Committee a few days ago, and SB
79 sponsored by Sen. Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City)
will be heard today in the Senate Jobs Committee. Also, two
important programs from the RCGA's "Grow-Me State"
initiative were heard last week in the Senate Jobs
Committee. SB
246, sponsored by Sen. John Lamping
(R-Clayton), would establish an Angel Tax Credit
and SB
248, sponsored by Sen. Mike Parson
(R-Bolivar), would establish a
Proof of Concept loan fund. Both programs
would help increase entrepreneurial access to risk capital at
critical stages of their development process. Jay
DeLong, RCGA's Vice President of New Ventures and Capital
Formation, testified in support of the bills and
explained how the Grow-Me State programs could help commercialize
some of the cutting-edge scientific research being done in
Missouri.
The "Fix the Six" business coalition
priorities continue to make progress through the
legislature. Last Thursday the House passed an
Employment Law Reform bill, HB
205 sponsored by Rep. Kevin Elmer
(R-Nixa), which limits individual liability of managers
and supervisors, mirrors the federal standard of proof in
discrimination cases, tightens whistleblower protections, and
implements
reasonable damage caps. The companion bill, SB
188 sponsored by Sen. Brad Lager
(R-Savannah), was debated on the Senate floor yesterday
afternoon.
Several other "Fix the Six" issues have
made progress over the past week as well. Yesterday
the House voted in favor of HB
61, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nolte
(R-Gladstone), which removes the escalator on the
state's minimum wage. The Senate also debated HB 163, sponsored by Rep.
Barney Fisher (R-Richards), which allows Missouri
employers to repay money borrowed for support of the state's
unemployment insurance system by issuing bonds.
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Advantages of
Compete Missouri
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Simplicity -- Combines six
existing and complicated programs into one streamlined
framework
Effectiveness -- Allows
for the use of "up-front" incentives, which can be very important
in closing some economic development deals
Flexibility -- Lowers
job creation thresholds and wage requirements to meet current
economic conditions
Performance-based --
Like Quality Jobs, the program would reward companies for meeting
specific job creation criteria
Efficiency -- No bonding is
necessary for new program
Accountability --
Contains claw-back provisions to protect state taxpayers
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Focus on Illinois:
Senate Majority Leader James Clayborne Speaks to RCGA's Illinois
Public Affairs Committee
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Sen. James Clayborne,
Jr.
speaking to the IPAC
group.
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On February 18th Senate
Majority Leader James Clayborne, Jr. (D-Belleville) spoke to the
RCGA's Illinois Public Affairs Committee (IPAC) about Governor
Pat Quinn's recently proposed budget for the next fiscal
year. Sen. Clayborne explained that while the budget
will be subject to much negotiation, it is clear that significant
cuts will be needed, as state revenues continue to lag due to
high unemployment. While the cuts will be
painful in many areas, Sen. Clayborne hoped that the legislature
would be able to minimize cuts to services for Illinois' most
vulnerable citizens. He suggested consolidation of some
school districts as one potential area for greater efficiency,
noting that this would save the state on administrative costs and
could also lead to more consistent preparation before high
school. Sen. Clayborne also suggested that, while he
supports proven economic development programs, there will be a
review of business incentive programs that have not demonstrated
a direct positive impact on state revenues.
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Sen. James Clayborne (D-Belleville) speaks
to a full house at RCGA's IPAC meeting in
Collinsville.
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Rep. Dan Beiser discusses
money-
saving options with the IPAC
group.
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Sen. Clayborne also expressed continuing
support for the Capital Bill, which is very important to
Southwestern Illinois and has been a top priority for the
RCGA, and said that he hoped the Supreme Court would
overturn the recent appellate decision challenging the Bill so
that local projects can move forward. Failing that, he
would support reenacting the legislation, although he noted that
there could be substantial challenges associated with
reestablishing video gaming, which is a key revenue source for
the program.
Rep. Dan Beiser (D-Alton)
also spoke to IPAC members regarding recent legislative
actions in the areas of pension and Medicaid reform to help
address the state's budget problems. He also noted that there are
16,000 fewer state employees in Illinois than there were five
years ago.
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Madison County Board Chairman and RCGA
Board member Alan Dunstan (center) asks Sen.
Clayborne about the proposed budget as IPAC members
(from left) Randy Pollard, Office of U.S.
Senator Mark Kirk, Ryan Kemper of Thompson Coburn, Dennis
Wilmsmeyer of Tri-City Regional Port District, and Patrick
McKeehan of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois look
on.
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| RCGA IPAC Chair and Board member Doug
Sitton (left), President of Sitton Construction
Group, and Sen. James Clayborne, Jr. (D-Belleville).
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Highlights from
Governor Quinn's Proposed Budget
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$52.7 total budget, a $1.7 billion
increase in overall spending
Includes $8.7 billion in borrowing to pay
overdue bills.
Does not include any new taxes or
increases in fees.
Proposed cuts include:
$552 million - 6% reduction in Medicaid
payment rates to medical providers
$107 million - Elimination of a
prescription drug program for seniors
$95 million - Decrease in state support
for K-12 transportation
$24 million - Elimination of the Circuit
Breaker program that helps seniors and the disable pay for
prescription medicine and property taxes
$14 million - Elimination of state
funding for regional school superintendants
Proposed increases include:
$460 million - Department of Revenue
$130 million - Department of
Corrections
$130 million - Department of
Transportation
$40 million - Higher Education
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RCGA's St. Louis Green
Business Challenge Begins - Join the Class of 2011 on Their Way
to "Green Savings!"
St. Louis area businesses, education
institutions, and organizations are stepping up to meet the
RCGA’s second annual St. Louis Green Business Challenge
by adopting more sustainable business practices
(see list of current participants on right). The
St. Louis Green Business Challenge is part of the RCGA’s
St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project, which advances
regional prosperity through the cultivation of green savings,
green opportunities, and green talent. The St.
Louis Green Business Challenge promotes "green savings" by
improving the environment and a company's bottom line
through the formation of green teams that promote energy
efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, improved
environmental quality, and clean transportation.
The St. Louis Green Business Challenge is
open to all RCGA members, and it is not too late to join -- but
you must sign up soon! Challenge participants
compete on a scorecard of sustainability strategies, with points
awarded for each accomplishment. Throughout the year the
Challenge's green teams meet to share best practices, learn about
green products and services, and tour local green
businesses. Staff from the Missouri Botanical Garden’s
EarthWays Center provides consulting services and site visits to
participating teams. The Challenge ends in October, and the
RCGA will present awards to Challenge participants at a ceremony
in December. The entry fee for the Challenge is
$250, and if you would like to sign up your company, contact Eric
Schneider at eschneider@stlrcga.org
by March 11th.
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Area green team
representatives at the RCGA learn about the
start of the St. Louis Green Business Challenge.
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Green Business Challenge Resource
Advisor Glenda Abney of
Missouri
Botanical Garden's EarthWays
Center
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The Challenge Class of 2011 met for the
first time on February 23rd at the RCGA's
office. Glenda Abney, Director of the Earthways
Center, explained the scorecard and the
process for the 2011 Challenge.
This year’s seminars will cover employee
outreach, integrating sustainability throughout the company,
engaging property managers, working with vendors, and additional
topics related to green savings.
Brett Markwort, Business
Development and Internal Paradigm Architect of Markwort Sporting
Goods Company, presented on how his company's
participation in the 2010 Challenge changed company behavior,
which positively impacted both their bottom line and workplace
environment. Markwort Sporting Goods Company, an
80-year-old family-owned manufacturer and distributor of sporting
goods, used the Challenge to implement single-stream recycling,
spur a redesign of their softball mask packaging, organize their
first Earth Day event, and promote transit usage by
employees. Markwort Sporting Goods Company is also a member
of the 2011 Challenge Class.
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Brett Markwort explains
the impact the St. Louis Green Business Challenge had on his
company, Markwort Sporting Goods. Click here for his presentation.
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The kick-off seminar closed with a
performance by Ryan Spearman and Kelly Wells of the Green
Strum Project, a new initiative that makes music from
recycling objects found in St. Louis. The Project
will soon release St. Louis’ first originally-produced album made
from sustainable products and aims to educate students and adults
on making music from found objects. Click on the photo
below to see Ryan and Kelly performing the St. Louis Green
Challenge theme song (click
here for audio only) with a cigar box banjo and a washbucket
bass.
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Kelly Wells and
Ryan Spearman perform music from recycled objects to close out
the RCGA's Green Business Challenge seminar.
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Upcoming activities for the St. Louis
Green Business Challenge Class of 2011 include a
mixer on St. Patrick’s Day, March
17th at the Missouri Botanical Garden to
celebrate the green in St. Louis, and a seminar on
tenant-property manager engagement on March
23rd at the RCGA.
If your company would like to join the
2011 Green Business Challenge, please contact Eric Schneider ASAP
at eschneider@stlrcga.org
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There is still time to join
the St. Louis Green
Business Challenge
Class of 2011!
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American Lung Association
Ameren
Arcturis
Armstrong Teasdale
AT&T
Brown Shoe Company
Bunge North America
Burns & McDonnell
Christner
Citi
Color Art Integrated Interiors
Commerce Bank
Datotel
Deloitte
DRS Technologies
EDC of St. Charles County
Express Scripts
Farnsworth Group
Gallop Johnson & Neuman
Geotechnology
Global Products, Inc.
Graybar
Habitat for Humanity
HNTB
HOK
Holland Construction
Services
Jacobs
Jones Lang Lasalle
Laclede Gas Company
Lewis and Clark College
Mackey Mitchell
Madison County
Maritz
Markwort Sporting Goods Co.
McCormack Baron Salazar
McKendree University
Microgrid Energy
Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri History Museum
Monsanto
Moonrise Hotel
Novus International
Partnership for Downtown
St. Louis
Save-A-Lot
SCI Engineering
Schnuck Markets
Sigma- Aldrich
Southwestern Illinois College
Special School District of
St. Louis County
St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Community College
St. Louis County
St. Louis RCGA
Stan Gellman Graphic Design
SWT Design
Tarlton
The Boeing Company
The Doe Run Company
The Stolar Partnership
The Vandiver Group
Tri-City Port District
UMB Bank
Walsh & Associates
Wells Fargo Advisors
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Missouri Legislative
Breakfast Sponsored by
Express Scripts, Inc.
On
February 23rd Express Scripts, Inc.
sponsored the fourth RCGA legislative breakfast of 2011 in
Jefferson City honoring members of the Missouri General
Assembly. The breakfast was hosted by
Michael Harrold,
Senior Director of State Government Affairs for Express Scripts,
and Rodney Boyd, Partner at SNR Denton and
legislative consultant for Express Scripts.
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House Speaker Pro Tem Shane Schoeller (R-Willard)
(right) and breakfast
sponsor Michael Harrold of Express Scripts pose for a
photo.
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(from left) St. Louis Regional Caucus
Vice-Chair Rep. Cole McNary (R-Chesterfield), Rep. Charlie
Denison (R-Springfield), Michael Harrold of Express Scripts, and
Rep. Bert Atkins (D-Florissant) were early risers for the RCGA
breakfast.
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Rep. Stacey Newman
(D-Clayton) (right) speaks with RCGA Board
member John Sondag, President of AT&T
Missouri, and RCGA Public Policy Council member
Mary Anne McCollum, Manager of Constituent Relations for the
University of Missouri-Columbia.
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Rep. Ellen Brandom
(R-Sikeston) greets Express Scripts representatives
Rodney Boyd and Michael
Harrold.
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(from left) Rep. Lindell
Shumake (R-Hannibal), Rep. Tommie Pierson (D-North St. Louis
County), Rep. Zachary Wyatt (R-Green Castle) and Rep. Tony Dugger
(R-Hartville) enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading to the
Capitol.
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Sen. Scott Rupp
(R-Wentzville) (right) poses for a picture with
breakfast host Michael Harrold of Express
Scripts.
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Upcoming Events
March 9 -- Biweekly Legislative
Breakfast in Jefferson City
Join us for our next biweekly Missouri
Legislative Breakfast, sponsored by St. Louis
Community College, on Wednesday, March
9th at the Doubletree Hotel in Jefferson
City. Stop by anytime between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m.
RSVP to Sherri Bailey at sbailey@stlrcga.org.
March 11 -- Public Policy Speaker Series
featuring Tom Donohue
Tom Donohue, President and CEO of
the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will speak to the RCGA at
a luncheon on Friday, March 11th as
part of our Public Policy Speaker Series. Mr. Donohue will
discuss critical job creation and competitiveness issues facing
Congress and the Administration. The luncheon will be held
in the RCGA's Regional Collaboration Center (One Metropolitan
Square, 13th floor), from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. The cost
is $30 for RCGA members and $45 for non-members. Click here to
register.
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Missouri Department of
Natural Resources Director
Sara Parker
Pauley |
March 25 -- RCGA Energy and Environment
Council
Sara Parker Pauley,
Director of the Missouri Department of Natural
Resources, will speak to the RCGA's Energy and
Environment Council on March 25th from 7:30
a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the RCGA Regional Collaboration
Center. Ms. Pauley leads Missouri Governor Jay Nixon's
efforts to grow the state economy by accelerating the development
of renewable sources of energy, creating next-generation "green"
jobs, and promoting energy independence. She also manages
agencies and programs of Missouri's state parks and historic
sites. She will present her agency's initiatives and
priorities. The Council will also learn
about the greenhouse gas inventory underway in the City of St.
Louis and about the residential energy efficiency loan program in
St. Louis County. To register contact Sherri Bailey at sbailey@stlrcga.org.
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