Below is the progress report on the LMC's 2009 issues agenda. In addition, we worked to defeat an attempt to drastically increase Missouri’s sales tax to eliminate its income tax; to support maximizing use of federal stimulus dollars; to bring Missouri funding to the KCATA proportional to the St. Louis appropriation; and to support the plan to expand health care coverage using hospital and federal dollars. The last two issues were unsuccessful, though a chance for the KC ATA funding still exists by next year.
Federal Issues
•The LMC supports inclusion of the General Services Administration planned new office building in downtown Kansas City, Mo., in the federal economic stimulus package, and supports moving forward with the Honeywell plant relocation project. The LMC will watch for other key projects in the metropolitan area to be supported for inclusion as they are identified. The GSA project is not currently in the stimulus package, but is moving in the process. The Honeywell plant relocation is moving forward. KC-area projects did not fare well in the Missouri decisions on transportation and homelessness projects.
The LMC also supports proposals to provide operating relief for safety net hospitals, Medicaid health care coverage for the newly unemployed, additional Medicaid coverage for the uninsured, and federal support of COBRA coverage for the unemployed in the stimulus package. The federal stimulus package did include these measures.
•The LMC supports movement towards comprehensive health care reform and will determine its position on specific proposals as they are brought forward. Federal legislation is now being developed.
•The LMC supports timely reauthorization of the federal transportation plan with funding adequate to rebuild our highway system and supports consideration of additional and alternative revenue sources, as a funding formula that is fair to Missouri and Kansas and funding of “green” projects. It is expected that the federal reauthorization will be addresed later this year.
•The LMC opposes proposed changes in the U.S. Small Business Administration rule that would severely limit the areas of federal contracting that include women as disadvantaged contractors. We are hopeful that this proposal will not proceed with the change in SBA administrators.
•The LMC supports award of the new Air Force tanker contract to the Boeing Co. This project remains in limbo.
Missouri
•The LMC supports reasonable and effective economic development incentives. While the LMC supports ensuring that tax credits and other incentives are cost effective, we want to preserve those tax credits crucial to economic development such as the historic tax credit, tax increment financing, the tax credit for the Three Trails project and similar programs. The LMC also supports enhancing the Quality Jobs program. Missouri legislation including an increase in the Quality Jobs cap did pass; while the bill had some caps such as $140 million on historic tax credits it did not have some the draconian restrictions favored by a group of senators. Other provisions of the bill also fit our position well.
The LMC also supports enhanced education and training tax credits, as long as those programs include existing construction apprenticeship and journeyman training programs. It is inclear at this time if this is the case with the legislation passed in Missouri.
•The LMC supportsr Gov. Nixon’s task for on the automotive industry in Missouri, and encourages the Task Force also consider the General Motors Fairfax plant in its plans as Missouri workers and businesses are involved with that plant as well. The task force is beginning work.
•The LMC supports restoration of Medicaid funding (Missouri) to its level before the cuts of 2005. The cuts were not restored.
•The LMC supports restoration of Missouri programs that foster economic development and provide critical services such as Medicaid, education, the arts, childcare subsidies for working parents and others. Thanks to federal stimulus funds most of these programs did not take big hits, however there were not increases or restorations either.
•The LMC supports state funding for a comprehensive transportation plan. No action was taken.
•The LMC supports Prevailing Wage in its present form. No changes.
•The LMC opposes TABOR (taxpayer bill of rights). Passed the Missouri House but stopped in the Senate; no movement in Kansas but it’s expected to be back in both states next year.
•The LMC endorses retention of the Missouri Plan for judicial selection and the similar policy that exists in Kansas. Missouri House passed a troubling bill but the Senate stopped it in committee.
•The LMC opposes the “Missouri Civil Rights Initiative” that would ban affirmative action programs and is attempting to gather signatures to get on the ballot. Opponents are urging Missourians to not sign. Failed to get enough signatures but another attempt is possible.
Kansas
•The LMC supports reasonable and effective economic development incentives. Not much movement either way, which was good.
•The LMC supports funding for a comprehensive transportation plan. Proposals are out there but no action taken.
•The LMC opposes immigration reform proposals that would put the burden of I-9 verification on contractors for subcontractors. Verification responsibility should fall only on the direct employer of those workers. No action taken.
Local
•The LMC urges that the Kansas City School District and Kansas City Federation of Teachers Local 691 reach a contract agreement as soon as possible. Contract was agreed to and ratified.
•The LMC supports MBE/WBE and Workforce diversity ordinances that are standardized among area municipalities and counties, with the Kansas City, Mo., ordinances as a model. No other entities have considered workforce ordinances yet.
•The LMC supports extending the Workforce diversity ordinance to city-related projects including the Port Authority, Planned Industrial Expansion Authority, Tax Increment Financing and others. Discussions continue.
•The LMC should initiate discussions among key leaders for enhancing mass transit in the metro area, perhaps via public-private partnerships. No such discussions yet but the climate will be better once the Missouri Supreme Court ratifies the city’s dumping of the voter-approved Chastain plan. However, Chastain is planning another petition drive.
Issues to Watch
•Proposed federal bills that would limit or eliminate arbitration in employment disputes. This may have legs so continued watch is needed.
•Any changes in unemployment compensation reform should be fair to seasonal employers. Otherwise the LMC is interested in looking at proposed changes to shore up the fund's solvency. Legislation intended to access federal funding for exxtended benefits passed but may need technical corrections to pass federal muster.
•The LMC is interested in but has no specific positions at this time on proposed legislation to address workers compensation. No action taken; the second injurty fund is the likely focus for next y ear.
•The LMC will study the proposal to include the cost of projects to increase energy production in the current rate base, particularly if alternative energy and efficiency projects are included.
•The LMC will study the proposed closing of the Municipal Corrections Institution and moving Kansas City, Mo., prisoners to Jackson County and the possibility of a regional jail. The closing and move of prisoners is planned for this year.
•The LMC will look at ways to support the successful implementation of the Johnson County Research Triangle. No developments so far.