Tilley: Blueprint For Missouri

The New Year is a time for new beginnings, and, here in the Missouri House, we started our second legislative session with a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of purpose by releasing our Blueprint for Missouri.

The Blueprint is our plan to move Missouri forward. The program rests on four important issues: protecting taxpayers, creating jobs, reforming schools and protecting our values.

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. But with an unemployment rate still above 8%, there is still work to be done.

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.

We will also continue working to improve the business climate by enacting a loser pays law this session. Attorney’s 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.

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.

It is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House. As always, I welcome your comments. You may reach me at 573-751-1488, send your e-mails to steven{dot}tilley{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov or write to me at the Missouri House of Representatives, State Capitol, Room 308, Jefferson City, MO 65101. If you know of anyone who would like to receive my Capitol Reports electronically, please contact me with their e-mail address.