Nance: Yes to Jobs Bill

Today, we passed the Manufacturing Jobs Act [HB2]. This bill is our opportunity to preserve thousands of good-paying jobs with benefits. The Ford plant is a vital part of our economy and we cannot afford to lose it during a time when we’re already hurting. This is not a corporate give away, but a responsible approach to offering incentives that will produce results that benefit our entire state. There is no benefit to Ford until they have made a commitment and started spending their own money on the Claycomo factory.

My concern is more for the suppliers of goods and small businesses that rely on the plant. Without Ford, those suppliers and small businesses would not have a market for their goods. This bill received overwhelming approval from business groups, organized labor, economic development groups, our school district, chambers of commerce, county and municipal governments, and others, most importantly the citizens of our District.

The decision is now up to Ford Motor Company as we have done all we can to preserve those jobs.

HCS HB 1 on retirement was passed out of the House. All new state employees will contribute 4% of their salaries towards retirement. This will save the state pension plan in the long term. The state previously required the contribution, but as more money flowed to the state in the middle 70’s, the legislature paid the entire retirement costs. The most controversial part of the bill that added the Missouri State Retirement Investment Board was pulled from the bill. The teacher’s retirement fund is not affected by the bill.