February 20, 2008 - The House Special Committee on Job Creation and Economic Development, chaired by Speaker-elect Rep. Ron Richard (R-129, Joplin, pictured at left), today heard testimony and approved an economic development package.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. David Pearce (R-121, Warrensburg, pictured above right), increases the Quality Jobs program cap by $20 million, increases the Enhanced Enterprise Zone program cap by $10 million, and makes various other changes as noted below. The Committee heard testimony from many MEDC members in support of the legislation, many of whom had traveled great distances to express their support for the bill.
We thank the Chairman and Rep. Pearce for their leadership in passing the legislation. The bill will now be reviewed by the House Rules Committee and then submitted for consideration by the full Missouri House of Representatives.
A similar bill, sponsored by Sen. Harry Kennedy (D-1, St. Louis), received first round approval in the Senate earlier this week and today was approved by the Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee chaired by Sen. Jack Goodman (R-29, Mt. Vernon). The bill will now receive a final vote in the Senate before moving to the House.
