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SEPTEMBER 18, 2008
RCGA Joins Greater St. Louis Transit Alliance To Promote Increased Metro Funding
The RCGA added its voice to the Greater St. Louis Transit Alliance, a coalition of business, labor and transit users advocating the passage of Proposition M. Proposition M will ask St. Louis County voters on the November 4th general election ballot to approve a half-cent tax to fund METRO operations and future expansions. The Alliance, whose members include BJC HealthCare, Washington University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis Labor Council, and the St. Louis County Municipal League, and Citizens for Modern Transit, seeks to galvanize area employers and the public on the need for a strong regional transit system. If the ballot measures passes, Metro will have a stable funding source and will plan for major system expansions such as: increased express buses, high-speed bus service and bus rapid transit lines, and an expanded Metrolink line to north and west St. Louis County. If Proposition M fails, Metro will be forced to eliminate 28 of its 60 existing bus routes, including all service west of I-270. Metro could eliminate all express routes and night service in two years, if new revenue is not found.
The RCGA has endorsed Proposition M as vital for the regional transportation system, workforce mobility, and economic development. For more information on the future of Metro, go to Metro at the Crossroads.
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Focus On Illinois: House Approves Lease of Lottery to Fund Capital Bill
 In a one-day special session, the Illinois House moved a funding plan for the long-awaited capital bill. The House agreed to lease the Illinois Lottery to a private operator for at least $10 billion, of which $7 billion would go to fund critical construction projects and $3 billion would be set aside for an endowment for school districts. Passage of the lottery lease did not include a list of projects for the capital bill, because the Speaker of the House has requested that the Attorney General, Comptroller, Secretary of State or Treasurer have the authority to control the distribution of projects. The bill, SB 2595, now goes to the Senate for action; however, Senate President Emil Jones has not yet scheduled a day to bring the Senate back into session.
In other action, the House voted to restore $221 million of funding to state parks and historic sites. This action may allow Cahokia Courthouse, Illinois' oldest courthouse, to remain open. It was scheduled to close on October 1. The House also approved funding to reverse Governor Blagojevich's budget cuts to alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs and Medicaid payments to hospitals. The Senate must also return to Springfield and accept the House's action for these budget changes to become effective.
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Missouri House Budget Chairman Outlines State Fiscal Outlook for RCGA Public Policy Council
 Missouri House Budget Chairman Rep. Allen Icet (R-Wildwood) spoke at the September 12th RCGA Public Policy Council meeting to explain how the pro-job, pro-growth laws passed in the last four years have led to a sound state fiscal situation. However, Rep. Icet cautioned that pro-business policy decisions must continue to sustain the Missouri budget in the future. Missouri has a healthy fiscal condition compared to many other states, and starts the current fiscal year with a more than $800 million fund balance. The consensus revenue estimate for FY 2009 General Revenue Growth is 3.4%, which will allow increased funding of the school foundation formula and meet the growth in MOHealthNet costs. Looking toward future budgets, Rep. Icet noted that the General Assembly would like to set aside more money for job creation and job training programs to advance Missouri's economic growth, but he also cited rising energy costs, growing health care needs, and higher education funding as putting pressure on the State's budget. For a copy of Rep. Icet's presentation to the RCGA Public Policy Council, please click here.
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RCGA Energy and Environmental Council Discusses Energy Efficiency Programs and Sustainability Intitiatives
The September 9th meeting of the RCGA Energy and Environmental Council focused on energy-efficiency incentive programs offered by the regional utilities. Greg Lovett, Managing Supervisor of Products and Services for Ameren, described his company's new $24 million incentive programs in Missouri ($14 million in Illinois) to encourage commercial and residential users to purchase energy efficient equipment, modernize their facilities and improve industrial processes. Ameren has set a long-term goal of 540MW reduction of load by 2025 through energy efficiency actions from their customers. Mr. Lovett described Ameren's programs, which will design custom solutions and incentives to reduce demand, and provide direct rebates based on prescriptive operational changes. For a copy of Lovett's presentation click on this slide:
Ted Reinhardt, Director of Utility Market Analysis and Development at Laclede Gas Company, presented their programs to stimulate energy efficiency. He encouraged gas users to log on to www.lacledegas.com to obtain an individualized history of their gas usage and to sign up for their monthly e-newsletter which provides energy savings tips. By April 2009, Laclede Gas will have a three-year $4 million program of incentives and rebates to commercial and residential users who reduce their energy usage. For a copy of Mr. Reinhardt presentation, click on this slide:
The Energy and Environmental Council also continued its discussions regarding sustainability initiatives. Steve Poplawski, Chair of the Energy and Environmental Council and a partner at Bryan Cave, presented his law firm's strategies to implement two-sided copying and digital scanning, purchase recycled paper and office equipment, and eliminate bottled water. Bryan Cave also convinced their building manager to use environmentally sensitive products in cleaning their offices.
The RCGA Energy and Environmental Council will meet again in December and continue their discussions on sustainability and sharing of best practices. If your company would like to get involved with the Council, please contact Eric Schneider at (314) 444-1148.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
.  October 2nd: China Business 2008 - Expanding Opportunities for U.S. Businesses 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at 100 Carondelet Plaza in Clayton. Featuring Addresses by: Minister Xie Feng, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the People's Republic of China and Ambassador Alan Holmer, Special Envoy for China and the Strategic Economic Dialogue, U.S. Department of Treasury. Panel discussions will focus on on "How to Do Business in China" and "Local Resources for St. Louis Companies". The cost is $100 for RCGA members and to register go to www.stlrga.org/events. This event is co-hosted by the St. Louis RCGA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
. October 15: Missouri 9th Congressional District Debate with Judy Baker, the Democrat nominee, and Blaine Luetkemeyer, the Republican nominee at Barat Academy at 1 Academy Place off Highway 40 and Highway K in Dardenne Prairie. The event is hosted by the St. Louis RCGA and Partners for Progress of St. Charles County. A meet the candidates session will occur from 8:30 to 9 a.m. with the debate scheduled from 9 to 10 a.m. Bob Priddy, news director of The Missourinet, will serve as debate moderator. To register to attend, please contact Eric Schneider at eschneider@stlrcga.org
.October 30th: The RCGA Public Policy Speaker Series welcomes internationally-reknown pollster John Zogby on for a luncheon speech at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mr. Zogby, President and CEO of Zogby International, has been praised as "the most accurate pollster" and "the pace setter in the polling business" by media outlets across the world.
"John Zogby always knows the pulse of America - and in this book he shares his many insights into who we are and what we think. I will return to his findings again and again."-Tom Brokaw, author of Boom! and The Greatest Generation
Mr. Zog by will speak about the 2008 Presidential Campaign and his new book "The Way We'll Be" - his portrait of America and where we are headed politically, culturally and spiritually. Praised by political, media, and marketing leaders, it is considered the must read for the 2008 campaign season.
The event costs $30 for RCGA members; $45 for non-members. To register to www.stlrcga.org/events
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The RCGAdvocate is published periodically to inform RCGA members and government officials about important public policy matters at the state, federal and local levels. It seeks to provide timely, in-depth coverage on regional issues, and, at times, to call RCGA members to action. We welcome your comments and suggestions.
Richard C.D. Fleming ~ President & CEO ~ (314) 444-1100 ~ dfleming@stlrcga.org
Chip Casteel ~ Senior V.P. of Public Policy ~ (314) 444-1107 ~ ccasteel@stlrcga.org
Susan Stauder ~ V.P. of Infrastructure & Public Policy ~ (314) 444-1155 ~ sstauder@stlrcga.org
Eric Schneider ~ Senior Director of Public Policy Research ~ (314) 444-1148 ~ eschneider@stlrcga.org
Kevin Riggs ~ Director of Illinois Government Affairs ~ (314) 444-1108 ~ kriggs@stlrcga.org
Christine Snively ~ Project Manager ~ (314) 444-1144 ~ csnively@stlrcga.org
Marlo Young ~ Executive Assistant for Public Policy ~ (314) 444-1134 ~ myoung@stlrcga.org
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