Nationally, our job creators remain fearful of spending money and expanding their payrolls. Their fear is based upon several factors including their concerns about the unsustainable federal spending and debt, concern that their taxes at the federal level will go up and that the Obama Administration inclination to increase regulation on business will bankrupt them. The uncertainty created by Obama Care and the President’s war on domestic energy continues to impede job creation.
We, in Missouri, cannot undo what is happening in Washington, but we can make positive steps to encourage job creation in our state. Putting Missourians back to work will be a priority again this session. Last session, we took several steps to create jobs. We cut taxes on small businesses adding new employees, eliminated the franchise tax and adopted several measures to improve the business climate. Still, with the unemployment rate above 8%, there is much work to be done.
Nationally, there was good news regarding job creation in the Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report issued by the U.S. Department of Labor last week. Unfortunately, that same report was not so good for Missouri. According to that report dated January 5th, the unemployment insurance claims increased in Missouri by 3,236 last week following layoffs. Missouri was reported as one of the 19 states across the country with more than 1,000 initial claims last week.
Job creation will remain a top priority for us in the Missouri House this session. By helping entrepreneurs cut through bureaucratic “red tape” and improving the business climate, we can continue to get Missourians back to work. We need to ensure accountability for decisions made by the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
One idea designed to improve the business climate is by enacting a “loser pays” law this session. Attorneys’ fees racked up due to frivolous lawsuits can be burdensome or even bankrupt small businesses. “Loser pays” will lower the number of frivolous suits and cut litigation costs businesses have to pay. That money can then be used to hire new employees or expand the business. Likewise, we need to address issues relating to the Worker’s Compensation Laws. Recent events and court decisions have added uncertainty to a system that has been in place for decades.
One innovative idea to spur job creation is the Entrepreneur Virtual Resource Network. This new program would provide resources to the Department of Economic Development for a website that pools the information needed to start a small business in the state. Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of job creation, but they often need assistance in navigating the regulatory hoops necessary to create their business from scratch. This website will give them a one-stop shop on how to get their idea to the marketplace.
Please contact me with any suggestions that you may have for Missouri legislation. Also, if you should experience problems in contacting or resolving an issue with a Missouri state agency, please feel free to call my Capitol office at (573) 751-2165 or email at mike{dot}kelley{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov. Thank you for the honor to serve as your Representative in the Missouri House of Representatives. Until my next update, I am, and remain, in your service.
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