Show-Me State Times

With just two weeks remaining in Missouri’s 2024 legislative session, several critical business priorities hang in the balance. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry's governmental affairs team has been actively advocating for these priorities as the session nears its conclusion on May 17.

The Missouri Chamber is urging lawmakers to take action on key issues such as addressing Missouri's child care crisis, curbing the rising crime rate, renewing the federal reimbursement allowance (FRA) program, and reforming the statute of limitations.

Regarding the child care crisis, the Missouri Chamber is supporting legislative efforts aimed at increasing the capacity of child care providers and assisting businesses in offering child care benefits. The Chamber emphasizes that nearly 90% of Missouri voters believe that improving access to child care will benefit working parents.

In terms of public safety, the Missouri Chamber highlights the concerns raised by business leaders in a recent CEO Survey, where 90% of respondents expressed worries about public safety. The Chamber is advocating for various crime reduction measures to address these concerns.

The renewal of the FRA program is also a top priority for the Missouri Chamber, as it plays a crucial role in providing Medicaid funding to the state budget and ensuring the operation of hospitals in both rural and urban areas. The Chamber stresses that without the program's extension, the state would face significant financial challenges.

Furthermore, the Missouri Chamber is pushing for the reform of the statute of limitations in the state, citing costly delays in the legal system caused by the current regulations. The Chamber supports legislative efforts to align Missouri's statute of limitations with neighboring states to improve the legal climate.

As the legislative session approaches its end, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce emphasizes the importance of these priorities and encourages individuals to engage with lawmakers to support the necessary legislation.

The Missouri Chamber's governmental affairs team, led by individuals such as Kara Corches, Heidi Geisbuhler Sutherland, and Phillip Arnzen, continues to work tirelessly to advocate for these critical business issues in the Capitol.