Missouri Chamber 2019 Legislative Priorities. 1-18-19
1. Support a sustainable funding plan for a comprehensive transportation system
Governor Parson announced a plan for $351M in bonding to focus on repair and maintenance of 250 bridges across the state. This plan would free up that same amount for MODOT to use on other transportation projects. Further, the governor proposed $50M for a cost-share program for local transportation projects. Both plans were received generally with support, while some criticized the use of bonding. The Chamber supports evaluating all options to infuse resources into our transportation system. We will continue to work with the administration on the best way to do this.
Committee chairs were announced this week. Senate Transportation – Doug Libla, Poplar Bluff as Chair and Gary Romine, Farmington as Vice-Chair; House Transportation – Becky Ruth, Festus as Chair and Nate Tate, St. Clair as Vice-Chair.
2. Support the expansion of broadband
The Governor announced plans for a $5M grant program in his state of the state address Wednesday. His main focus will be on ensuring broadband is deployed to rural school districts that currently lack it. The grant program was passed in legislation last year but the funding for it will need to be appropriated.
3. Enact tort reforms to improve Missouri’s legal climate
Venue and joinder reform will be the top tort priority this session. The governor and leadership in both the house and senate have expressed this sentiment. SB 7, sponsored by Ed Emery from Lamar, picks up where we left off on venue last year. The important changes here will require each plaintiff in a case to show he or she can properly bring suit in the venue (court) they propose. Too often, cases in the city of St. Louis are full of plaintiffs with no connection to the city, let alone the state. This common sense change would ensure our courts and the resources we put into them would only be utilized appropriately and most often by Missourians. This bill has been sent to the Senate Government Reform Committee, chaired by Senator Ed Emery. Most of the rest of the tort agenda has been filed in either or both houses, but awaits referral to committee.
4. Make changes to Missouri’s tax system to resolve current loss of internet sales taxes.
SB 46, filed by Senator Koenig from St. Louis County and SB 50, filed by Senator Eigel from St. Charles County, would both address the
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decision and collection of internet sales taxes. These bills have not been referred yet but will go to Senate Ways and Means, chaired by Senator Koenig. Both bills make the necessary changes to nexus rules and allows for Department of Revenue to collect sales tax on these purchases. Both bills also provide for an offsetting individual tax cut to make up for the increased taxes Missourians will pay. These senators led efforts on tax reform in the senate last session and will continue to lead on crafting this year’s tax agenda. We will continue to evaluate the best way to use the increased revenue, whether placed into GR, for education, transportation, or something else.
5. Increase tourism funding.
The governor is requesting over $21M for the division of tourism, which would be an increase from FY19, which saw the division receive over $15M. This recommendation includes $5M for tourism promotion.
6. Increase resources for entrepreneurial and start up incentives.
Missouri Technology Corporation is poised to receive $2,250,000, subject to the appropriations process. The MTC’s executive director recently left so the future leadership of the program will be decided early this year.
7. Dedicate funding to talent attraction initiatives
8. Increase resources for customized training
Priorities 7 & 8 will be taken together. The governor announced several plans regarding workforce development and training in his state of the state and in his budget release.
- Missouri Fast Track will help adults receive industry-recognized credentials to address specific workforce shortages. Senator Gary Romine and Rep Kathy Swan will lead legislative efforts for this program. The governor is calling for over $22M for this program.
- Missouri Excels provides employer-driven solutions for training in coordination with our higher education institutions. The governor is calling for over $16M for this program.
- Missouri One Start is a revamping of the Missouri Works program. The program will help businesses cover the cost of training, especially focusing on eliminating the skills gap. The governor is calling for a $10M increase for this program up to $40M, which would double the number of businesses that could benefit and result in 10,000 more employees being trained.
9. Prioritize STEM education in K-12 schools.
Overall, the governor is calling for a $61M increase to the foundation formula, which would fully fund it again. He has called for $250,000 towards STEM career awareness, which was contemplated in HB 3 in the special session this fall. Further, he has called for $450,000 to train teachers in computer science, again in light of HB 3. These are important first steps in creating a more robust STEM curriculum in Missouri.
10. Enact prescription drug monitoring program
Holly Rehder from Sikeston has filed HB 188, which has been referred to the House Committee on Insurance Policy. Senator Tony Luetkemeyer from Parkville has filed SB 155, which is awaiting referral to committee.
11. Increase access to mental health support.
The governor is calling for over $15M to be able to provide mental health services to more patients. Overall, the governor is recommending more than $2.4B for the department of mental health, including more than $9.8M in provider rate increases.
