Legislative Policy & Priorities
B. Economic Development

The establishment of State legislative priorities and positions of support for matters before the 2010 General Assembly has been approved by members of the City Council of Springfield, Missouri.

The City of Springfield has engaged in a process by which it has identified major priorities on matters before the General Assembly and has identified additional priorities and matters for support or opposition.

The following legislative priorities are established for the 2010 Session of the Missouri General Assembly: Environment and Quality of Life; Economic Development; Finance and Taxation; Municipal Administration and Intergovernmental Relations.

B.1 Coordination of State Programs with Economic Development Programs as Part of a Smart Growth Policy

The State of Missouri has established a number of programs for economic development, which include the creation of Enterprise Zones. Many of these programs are supported by federal and local actions. These economic development programs can be furthered by coordination of other state programs so that the State has an overall policy which is designed to improve economic conditions in identified economic development areas. The location of State buildings, whether they are owned or leased by the State, can have a very substantial impact on economic development. The State should follow Section 89.380, RSMo, by submitting plans for new or relocated facilities to the Planning and Zoning Commission. There is a need for the State to implement a program of smart growth through the coordination of economic development programs with other programs of the State to encourage infill and the leasing or ownership of property by the State, which will encourage redevelopment of the Center City. The General Assembly should pass legislation which would require the State to follow community plans for location of facilities and to consider the economic development policies established by the state and local government as a factor in making an award for the lease of buildings. Finally, the City encourages the state to provide additional tax credits and other financial incentives for businesses and individuals to change to a more sustainable business model.

B.2 Transportation Needs

The City supports efforts to secure funding for the Department of Transportation and create partnerships with them to better facilitate economic development in our communities.

1. Missouri’s ability to meet even high-priority transportation needs is in crisis with uncertain funding issue at all levels local, state, and federal. The City of Springfield recognizes that transportation investments boost industry competitiveness, enhances household welfare, and strengthens local, regional, and state economies. It is essential that the City of Springfield be an active participate in MoDOT’s Conversation for Moving Missouri Forward. The City should also encourage state and & federal legislators to make transportation investments a top priority as it will create new jobs, promote economic sustainability and enhance our competitiveness in a global economy.
2. SAFETEA-LU. (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users) The Congress of the United States of America should continue to fund the SAFETEA- LU Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century at current levels or increased levels because these funds have been effectively used to improve transportation enhancement activities in the City of Springfield and the State of Missouri. The City urges the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission each year to continue to distribute available Surface Transportation Program funds for enhancement activities as outlined under the federal SAFETEA- LU21 legislation, regardless of the annual SAFETEA- LU appropriation level to the State of Missouri.
3. Transit Funding. State-dedicated funding is needed to provide quality public transit services throughout the State for the great majority of the elderly, handicapped and low-income residents who are totally dependent upon public transit for their mobility and independence. Public transit usage, including parking decks, also contributes to energy conservation and independence, improves air quality, reduction in traffic congestion and in vehicular miles traveled on the State's roads and highways. In the event the General Assembly of the State of Missouri enacts legislation to provide for a dedicated revenue source to fund public transit operations and projects statewide, funding should be included for Southwest Missouri. Use of these funds to improve the ground transportation system at the Springfield/Branson Regional Airport is important because it could allow for the development of better ground transportation services to local and regional tourist facilities.

The continued improvement of Missouri’s transportation system is a primary economic development goal of Metro Springfield. Transportation infrastructure is a crucial element in supporting our region’s rapid growth and development. The City of Springfield encourages continued partnerships between MoDOT and local governments.

The City supports the following:

• Continued funding for the Springfield Area Metropolitan Planning Organization known as the Ozarks Transportation Organization priorities including the following high-priority projects:
  • Capacity and Safety Improvements to US 60 (James River Freeway) from West Bypass to State Highway 125.
  • Capacity Enhancing Improvements to U.S. 160 (Campbell Avenue) from the U.S. 60 interchange to State Highway 14 in Nixa.
  • Regional Arterial Traffic Flow Management System (Intelligent Transportation System).
  • Upgrade I-44 to a six-lane facility from U.S. 360 to Route 125.
  • Railroad Grade Separation at Chestnut Expressway and US 65.
• The authorization of a feasibility study for toll roads
• Legislation authorizing a comprehensive regional transit plan
• Protection of Community Improvement Districts (CID) and Transportation Development District (TDD) as proper transportation development tools
• Legislation that would enact a primary seat belt law bringing more federal dollars to Missouri.

Looking toward the future, the City of Springfield wants to ensure that important highway projects are not allowed to lapse because of a lack of funding at the state level. Proposition 3 was passed by voters in November of 2004 to secure bond projects through 2010. The City of Springfield supports continuing the funding levels achieved by Proposition 3.

• Connect our major cities with passenger rail. We support the planning for future passenger rail service between Missouri’s major metropolitan population areas.
• Express support for passenger rail transportation and recent federal efforts to develop a national high-speed system (i.e. environmental benefits, smart growth, mass transportation, highway congestion, etc.)
• Support Complete Streets: Missouri’s population is aging and our needs for transportation are changing. Our streets and highway system should accommodate all users including those who do not use cars. Pedestrians, bike riders, bus riders, children and disabled persons all pay taxes. Streets and intersections should be for all taxpayers.
• Support local food: Local agriculture is key to providing a safe, secure, and reliable food supply for the citizens of Missouri. We support farmers in our city limits and farmers nearby and we encourage legislation that will provide a stronger local food supply and remove barriers to the development of local food supplies or eliminate legislation that provides barriers.

B.3 Capital, Fiscal Resources, and Economic Incentives

In order for Missouri and its communities to compete for jobs, it needs to retain existing economic incentives comparable to what is offered in adjoining states. In addition, new legislation is needed to make the economic development package offered by Missouri and its communities competitive with other states. To that end:

1. The State, Federal government and private sector should support efforts to provide access to seed and venture capital for viable projects by Missouri entrepreneurs.
2. The State should support efforts and provide funding to fully develop Jordan Valley Park with amenities such as an amphitheater and other types of community gathering areas.
3. The State and Federal government, in conjunction with communities, must ensure that new and expanding businesses have access to competitively priced financing or additional tax credits for the location of new businesses or the expansion of existing businesses.
4. The City, in cooperation with the State and the Federal government, should continue to press for extension of tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds to provide financing for business expansions.
5. The State and Federal government should provide or allow for adequate funding tools for the funding for improvement and expansion of existing and future public infrastructure.
6. The State of Missouri should maintain its very basic economic incentive programs for new and expanding businesses, including but not limited to its composite taxable and tax-exempt financing programs, economic development tax credits, Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority, the Missouri Industrial Development Loan Guarantees and various tax credits for seed capital funds. These programs should be maintained at existing minimal levels or increased.

   The City supports an amendment to the Missouri Quality Jobs program that would prohibit the granting of state incentives to existing Missouri business and industry who elect to relocate business operations within the State of Missouri.

7. The City supports the preservation of Chapter 353, the Urban Redevelopment Law, including the option of tax abatement without unwarranted restriction by other governmental units.
8. The City opposes legislation to exempt any governmental entity from being subject to requirements to contribute to the TIF allocation fund and opposes any attempt to change the purposes or types of development permitted under the TIF law.
9. Economic incentives by local and state government are essential to the continued development of the Center City of Springfield. The ability to leverage the benefits of economic growth with additional tax revenues created by the economic growth is a unique way to assist Center City redevelopment. Continued debt service appropriation by the State for the state-approved TIF which funds in part the Exposition bonds is critical to investor confidence. This is particularly true in situations such as the Springfield Exposition Center, where there is an extraordinary commitment by local government to provide key facilities and needed public infrastructure with private/public investment, which is part of an overall strategy to revitalize Center City.
10. Certain not-for-profit organizations such as the Discovery Center and the History Museum enhance the quality of life by serving as important educational institutions and as tourist attractions.

B.4 Marketing

1. An increased emphasis should be placed on marketing the State of Missouri as a location for business expansions. Marketing efforts should be expanded to include additional emphasis on high tech companies and service operations. A coordinated effort between all appropriate state agencies and between state and municipal groups promoting business, industry, parks, cultural and historic attractions, and tourism should be fostered in promoting the resources already available in Missouri.
2. Advertising efforts should be expanded with local economic development agencies to allow increased piggybacking with state campaigns and the sharing of advertising expenses between state and local groups.
3. Tourism promotion campaigns, in cooperation with local tourism and convention groups, should be given greater priority. Cost sharing between local and state promotional groups has proven a cost-effective way to increase exposure and should be expanded.
4. Efforts should be made to promote the State of Missouri internationally as a visitor destination. Tourism materials should be prepared and distributed along with the current offerings promoting industrial locations.
5. Increased efforts to preserve the natural beauty of Missouri are necessary to promote Missouri as a tourist destination. Proliferation of billboards in Missouri has detracted from the natural scenic beauty of the State; therefore, the State should limit the erection of billboards.
6. The State of Missouri must continue to assist businesses in reaching new markets for their products and services, including an increased awareness of international opportunities.
7. The Missouri Department of Economic Development should actively pursue professional marketing services through the use of private firms to encourage businesses and other job providers to locate in the state of Missouri.

B.5 Liquor Control

The City supports the establishment of a local liquor control office and the creation of funding for that office. A local office will assist in more timely issuance of licenses and more efficient and expedient enforcement of liquor control laws. In the absence of a local office, the ability of the State to contract with, and fund, a local government to provide liquor enforcement of State laws would be of assistance.

B. Enhance The Economy By Removing Restrictions On Hemp to Create New Industries

With the stroke of the pen, Missouri could create several new industries overnight. Agriculture, textiles, construction, alternative fuels, and many other areas would see an immediate boon in their markets. The cost of this type of government "investment" would be absolutely nothing, zero dollars. In fact, the savings that this could generate would be able to fund critical needs in other areas.

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