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Quick Links:
Federal Elected Officials
U.S. House of Representatives – www.house.gov
U.S. Senate – www.senate.gov
Federal Issues
139th Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard
The Chamber is concerned about the recent Air Force decision leaving the 139th out of the plan to recapitalize the existing fleet of C-130H model aircraft to the newest C-130J aircraft. The Chamber believes this puts the long-term viability of the Wing in jeopardy. The proven 139th war-fighting capability and the global contributions of the Advanced Airlift Tactical Training Center are critical for our State, the entire Mobility Air Force (MAF), and Nation. These strengths are vital to our local economy.
The Chamber therefore strongly supports:
• The immediate capitalization to C-130J model aircraft.
• The ongoing process of relocating facilities to the north end of the airport, following the Wing’s master plan, for continued mission success of the 139th Airlift Wing.
Health Care
The Chamber supports continued efforts by the administration and congress to work together to bring about reforms that provide an affordable, accessible and sustainable health care system that provides stability to private sector employer health care. Protecting the 340B program is essential to the health of those living on the margins and the survival of many rural hospitals.
Economic Development/Energy
The Chamber supports legislation to increase responsible energy capacity and decrease service timelines in a cost-effective manner that preserves rates for consumers.
Broadband Funding
The Chamber advocates for federal funding to assist with the expansion and improvement of broadband service in the rural areas of Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas to better retain and serve residents in the rural areas with working remotely, internet medical services, and to support business growth and development.
Immigration Reform
The Chamber calls on Administration and Congress to pursue to reform existing immigration policy to provide for the appropriate legal status for immigrant workers in order to address the workforce demand of employers in the country. This should be based on established needs and refrain from enacting greater restrictions and regulations on employers.
Infrastructure Funding
The Chamber calls for continued support from federal and state authorities, including the Highway Commission, to prioritize and fund the entire Interstate 229 project, including a downtown exit.
State of Missouri
Missouri Senate — www.senate.mo.gov
Missouri House of Representatives — www.house.mo.gov
State Issues
Higher Education
The Chamber advocates for increased funding for Missouri Western State University (MWSU), including a $4 million supplemental increase to its core appropriation beginning in FY27. The funding will guarantee continued operational excellence at MWSU and enhance its ability to meet the growing needs of students, maintain advanced instructional technologies, and target non-traditional students to meet workforce needs.
Pre-K through 12 Education
A strong education system is key to Missouri’s long-term economic strength and competitiveness. The Chamber supports efforts to adequately fund education. Maintaining the integrity of the current Foundation Formula, while increasing and providing appropriations for fully funding the foundation formula, transportation formula, summer school and early childhood education. Additionally, the Chamber supports the creation and development of programs aimed at enhancing workforce development by reaching the goal of 60 percent of all students achieving a certificate or degree beyond high school. The Chamber also supports the creation and development of intervention and support programs leading to academic and attendance improvement for all school districts. The Chamber supports looking at ways to increase teachers’ pay in Missouri.
Workforce and Childcare Funding
The Chamber supports the creation and development of programs to increase labor market participation including internships. Identified as one of our grand challenges in the “All Things Missouri Database” as more than 30 percent of work-aged adults are not in the workforce. We call for the state to provide resources to further understand the population and develop strategies to attract more adults into employment. Additionally, the Chamber supports enhanced support for childcare funding as a workforce development necessity.
Sue and Settle Lawsuits
We support civil justice reforms that discourage frivolous lawsuits, which burden Missouri’s judicial system and harm the state’s business climate. We advocate for legislation that protects businesses from costly, unfounded legal claims by strengthening standards for filing civil suits and we support policies that reduce legal uncertainty and ensure fair, efficient resolution of disputes to foster a more competitive economic environment.
Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention and Public Safety Funding
The Chamber supports increasing access to quality mental health and substance abuse prevention. Focusing on this health care crisis may prevent more serious and costly problems from developing. Such measures may also help municipalities from managing crime by addressing mental health issues and reducing substance abuse while better managing the homeless population. The Chamber supports creating and developing programs to keep and attract more healthcare professionals. Some of our largest employers have indicated that health care is an essential aspect of economic development, the local healthcare system is critical to our community.
Community Revitalization Funding/Housing
To retain and grow population, the Chamber supports adequate workforce housing and neighborhood revitalization. We wish to continue to expand the Workforce Housing Tax Credits, supporting rent to own or an ownership plan, offering tax credits twice a year. Additionally, we support legislative efforts creating tax exempt bond financing linked to owner occupied housing developments. Also, we support the creation of a fund for down payment assistance and the ability for cities to impose a semiannual registration requirement for properties vacant for six months and have municipal code violations.
The Chamber recognizes that accessible and affordable housing options are crucial to attracting and retaining a skilled workforce. We support growing access to affordable housing options through increased state appropriations for key housing and community development programs as well as other state and federal incentive programs for the creation of affordable workforce housing.
Tort Reform
Missouri has been known for its unfriendly business practices when it comes to legal matters. The Chamber endorses certain reforms to the State’s tort laws to address such issues as venue shopping, statute of limitations requirements and merchandising practices laws.
Infrastructure Funding
The Chamber calls for continued support to prioritize Riverside Road (Route A/C) improvements including modifications of the intersection configuration at Riverside Terrace, addition of safety improvement for area employers and vendor traffic, and road widening and bridge replacement over U.S. Highway 36 on Riverside. The Chamber also calls for support to prioritize and fund U.S. Highway 36, which has been affected by Interstate 70 construction and increased traffic.
Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets
The Chamber calls for support of the Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Street Act. The Revitalizing Downtown Main Street Act provides tax credits to support the conversion of vacant or obsolete commercial properties into residential or mixed-use-projects, helping communities revive underused buildings.
Economic Development
We support comprehensive efforts to maximize Missouri’s position as an emerging technology and advanced manufacturing hub. By enacting innovative policies, increasing investment, and training our workforce for high-tech jobs, our state can grow its global tech, innovation, and manufacturing footprint. Supporting a friendly regulatory environment for e-commerce is another essential part of creating a thriving technology environment in Missouri. Commitment to embracing the digital age and leading from the front as a technology hub. We also support fostering an AI-friendly and automation-friendly regulatory environment in the state to help fill in the gaps where skilled workers may be scarce.
Local Officials
Buchanan County Officials
Buchanan County – www.co.buchanan.mo.us
St. Joseph City Officials
St. Joseph www.stjoemo.info
St. Joseph School District Officials
St. Joseph School District – www.sjsd.k12.mo.us
Local Issues
School District
The Chamber believes it is important to the community to provide the resources necessary to maintain and support an excellent public school system. Further, the Chamber encourages the School District to work with the community to engage in a dialogue to determine what the residents’ vision is for the District and what they will support including possible new high school construction. In addition, the Chamber supports initiatives that support pre-K learning, career readiness and a robust vocational and technical education program to meet workforce development needs in the community. The Chamber supports the SJSD long range plan.
Downtown Development
With private sector development underway in the downtown area, the Chamber encourages the City to continue its support of redevelopment initiatives, as well as the expenditure of public capital improvement funds as necessary to encourage continued and future private sector investment. The Chamber encourages support of the Felix Street Public Market project.
Community Appearance
The Chamber believes that an important part of positioning the community for future economic growth is creating a quality of life that encourages individuals to want to live in St. Joseph and businesses to want to invest in the community. This begins with having a clean, attractive community, in which residents can be proud. The Chamber encourages the City to consider programs and policies that would address the condition of certain residential properties and provide for a method of removing litter and trash from residential neighborhoods. In addition, the Chamber plans to continue its work with the business community with the Adopt-A-Block program.
Crime
St. Joseph residents and businesses continue to place a high priority on addressing crime and maintaining a safe community. Ongoing efforts have reduced crime in a number of categories. The Chamber would like to encourage continued support of the Police Department. Further, the City is asked to continue to reach out to the business community and residential neighborhoods to form partnerships to help and support the activities of law enforcement.
Future Development
The Chamber supports creating a plan and implementing policies that encourage and facilitate looking at future areas outside of the City limits for residential and industrial development that addresses such issues as infrastructure, developable land, and annexation to support future community and business growth.
Housing
The Chamber supports initiatives to pursue development of housing stock that currently may not exist in St. Joseph which is attractive to various age groups and encourages professional segments, such as doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, etc. of the workforce to live in St. Joseph. Such housing may include quality apartment complexes or housing developments with a full spectrum of services and amenities. The Chamber views quality and attractive housing alternatives as a support mechanism for a robust workforce development program and as an enhancer in creating a quality of life in the community. The Chamber supports the use of TIFs and other incentives to encourage developers to reach an acceptable ROI on such developments. The Chamber supports public/private initiatives to develop housing options to provide a wide array of quality, affordable housing for the employees of St. Joseph employers.
Neighborhood Revitalization
As part of Imagine St. Joseph 2040, there is a critical need to revitalize the older neighborhoods in St. Joseph. Great progress has been made with the passage of a rental inspection program, as well as the creation of a local Land Bank. The Chamber suggests the City and County support neighborhood revitalization efforts through funding to address infrastructure needs, as well as the creation of programs, such as revolving loans for property owners, policies and providing resources to support opportunities to restore and improve housing in the older, historic neighborhoods of St. Joseph.
Government Websites
U.S. President – www.whitehouse.gov
U.S. Senate – www.senate.gov
U.S House – www.house.gov
Missouri Government – www.mo.gov
Missouri Senate –www.senate.mo.gov
Missouri House – www.house.mo.gov
Buchanan County – www.co.buchanan.mo.us
City of St. Joseph – www.stjoemo.info