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Missouri Senate begins debating Second Injury Fund reform legislation

The week the Missouri Senate began debating SB 1, Sen. Scott Rupp’s legislation meant to revive an insolvent fund for disabled workers by raising fees on businesses and restricting future claims.

Missouri Chamber supports the replacement of medical malpractice damage caps

The Senate Judiciary Committee discussed two bills to reinstate medical malpractice caps in Missouri Monday evening.
The committee discussed Senate Bill 105, which would re-establish legislation putting a cap on malpractice payouts. Sen. Dan Brown, the sponsor of the bill, thinks the cap should be placed in order to encourage more doctors to practice in Missouri.

Energy utilities seek ways to fund infrastructure costs through surcharges

Energy companies pushing for change to the state’s process for approving surcharges to customers’ bills, say it is necessary to prepare our state for the future. That was part of the testimony of Ameren Missouri President Warner Baxter who spoke in support of Senate Bill 207 on Feb. 5 before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment.

Tax amnesty proposal heard in House Committee

As lawmakers struggle to find ways to backfill Missouri’s strapped budget, proposals to bring in additional funds by providing tax amnesty are under consideration by the Missouri Legislature.
This week, the Missouri House held a public hearing on a tax amnesty proposal sponsored by Rep. Tom Flanigan. House Bill 55 would waive all interest and penalties for delinquent taxpayers who pay their bills between Aug. 1 and Oct. 31.

House committee hears Right to Work legislation

A large crowd gathered Wednesday to watch the House Workforce Development and Workplace Safety Committee hearing on a bill that would bar payment of union dues as a condition of employment and make Missouri the nation's 25th "right-to-work" state. Rep. Eric Burlison, sponsor of HB 77, said his right-to-work legislation would strengthen Missouri's economic competiveness and ultimately strengthen unions.

Proven success of New Markets Development Program fires up supporters

When Kevin and Linda Hopkins decided to expand their fast-growing bar-b-que business in North Kansas City, they ran into problems. Seven banks turned them down for the financing needed to grow their business, Smokin’ Guns BBQ. The Hopkins didn’t give up. They were able to expand their restaurant by accessing Missouri’s New Markets Development Program, and as a result have expanded their business into a larger facility that has allowed them to quadruple the number of seats from 50 to nearly 200 and add 24 jobs.

Missouri Chamber believes infrastructure investment fuels economy

HJR 14, has been introduced at $950 million dollars and is described as identical to one introduced in the Senate by Senator Kurt Schaefer. Lawmakers say that figure could change however, either higher or lower. The bi-partisan measure is sponsored in the House by Speaker Tim Jones (R) and Rep. Chris Kelly (D) and supported by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Watch Speaker Jones and Tracy King testify

Lawmakers consider bill that would assign letter grades to Missouri schools

Knowledge is power, and House Bill 388, sponsored by Rep. Kathy Swan, is designed to give Missouri parents the knowledge and the power to make a difference in the schools where their children are educated. HB 388 would create and implement a grading system that will assign schools a letter grade from A to F based on performance.

This Week in the Missouri Legislature conference calls

Stay on top of the legislation impacting Missouri employers! As a member of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, you can participate in a bi-weekly discussion on the latest happenings in our state capitol. Please join us for "This Week in the Missouri Legislature," our exclusive Missouri Chamber member conference call set bi-weekly throughout the 2013 Legislative session.

BI-weekly Conference Calls – Fridays, 11:00 a.m.
o Feb 15
o Mar 1, 15, 29
o Apr 12, 26
o May 10, 28

Save the Date for 2013 Missouri Chamber Day!

Sen. Kit Bond will highlight the 2013 Missouri Chamber Day. Learn the issues and grassroots lobby with the strongest business force in the state. You won't want to miss this opportunity to network and make a difference for Missouri employers. Register to participate on February 27!

Save the Date for STEM Week March 4-8

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) will be the focal point as business and education leaders, K-12 and higher education faculty, students and parents celebrate and promote the value of STEM to Missouri's future prosperity. Activities and events are planned at the Capitol and around the state coordinated by the Missouri Mathematics and Science Coalition, a statewide group driving system change and innovation in STEM.