Roorda: Nixon's Economic Development Plan, Liquor Control Downsized, Stronger DWI Penalties

Governor Jay Nixon's Five Year Economic Development Plan

Governor Nixon is seeking to develop a five-year strategic plan for improving Missouri's economy. The plan is expected to be prepared by the end of the year and focuses on industries that are key to the state's economic growth.

Bringing in a number of different perspectives and ideas to strengthen the plans foundation, Nixon appointed an exectutive board to lead the effort. This board includes: Missouri Department of Economic Development Director David Kerr, Ann Marie of United Missouri Bank in Springfield, Paul Combs of Baker Implement in Kennett, Bill Downey of Kansas City Power & Light and David Steward of World Wide Technology in St. Louis.

In supplement to this executive board a larger steering committee that includes industry experts, researchers, labor representatives, economic development officials and business leaders from throughout the state will be named by early June to provide additional input on the strategic plan.

Read more about the plans progression at St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Mr. Nixon's 5-Year Economic Plan

Nixon Tries to Reignite Economic Plan

Liquor Control Division Downsized

Legislation proposed by Gov. Jay Nixon to merge the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco control into the State Department of Revenue did not win legislature approval, keeping the divisons regulatory operations open but on a smaller scale. Due to budget cuts the continued operations of the divison are to be performed by a smaller staff of full time employees.

Financially speaking, beginning on July 1 the budget for the fiscal year reduces the alcohol divison's appropriation by more than $1 million from the current year. The appropriation cut back has in turn led to the staffing reduction making it difficult for the agency to perform much its field enforcement such as; spot checks and determining whether or not alcohol retailers are serving minors. Collaboration between the now smaller division and local law enforcement will be established in effort to carry out much of the work done prior to the staff reduction.

Additional Information about the Missouri Divison of Alcohol and Tobacco control can be found at this link "Missouri ATC"

Stronger DWI Penalties

Governor Jay Nixon Signs HB 1695, June 2,2010

House Bill 1695, 1742 & 1674 creates stronger penalites for DWI offenders. The bill requires drivers with blood-alcohol levels of at least 0.15 percent to spend 48 hours in jail, and those with at least 0.2 percent to spend at least five days, unless they complete the requirements of a DWI court, docket, or other court-ordered treatment.

In addition, the bill allows any circuit court to set up a DWI docket or court for repeat offenders of those whose blood-alcohol content exceeds 0.15 percent. Several Missouri courts already offer DWI Courts, which allow repeat DWI offenders to avoid jail time while receiving treatment for alcohol abuse.

The bill also requires state courts to handle any DWI case involving a defendant with two or more alcohol related contacts with authorities or intoxication-related traffic offenses. Police and prosecutors also have to adopt policies for reporting information on DWI offenses to a central databank. This databank will serve as reference point for previous offenders, whose jail time will be from 5-10 days, persistent offenders to 30 days.

Read more about the signing and content of this new bill at the links below:

HB 1695

Governor Nixon Cracks Down

If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact my office.  I enjoy serving my constituents as "their" voice in the Missouri State Capitol.