Legislative Priorities

We endorse responsible legislative solutions to increase opportunities for market-rate workforce housing infrastructure in rural areas to include grant opportunities, tax credits, tax abatements, land use assessments and sales tax exemption on building materials.

• HB 2240 proposes the development of a rural workforce housing fund, which will provide competitive matching grants to non-profit development organizations who administer workforce housing investment funds.
• HB 2407 provides a tax credit to property developers who create rental or owner-occupied housing that is affordable to moderate-income individuals and families. The tax credits serve as a financial incentive for developers to invest in workforce housing, ultimately bolstering economic stability and community growth.

We support continued funding related to existing Department of Economic Development incentive programs such as Missouri Works, Missouri One Start and Missouri Fasttrack.

• We support shifting away from a ‘jobs-created’ model to an ‘investment’ model of capital expenditures and productivity.

We endorse policy changes to create sustainable childcare models in rural Missouri by shifting away from a market rate survey method towards a cost of care model for adequate reimbursement rates, as well as shifting toward paying reimbursements based on monthly enrollment rather than on attendance. In addition, it is recommended to:

• Revise the definition of “registered” to open the category. 
• Increase eligibility for subsidy with a goal of 85% of State Median Income ($80,558 for a family of four), making childcare more affordable for families. 
• Support tax credit programs for childcare. 

We support funding and mapping of broadband to ensure unserved or underserved businesses and households have access to service. Reliable and affordable fiber internet and cellular services are essential for rural companies, educational institutions and families as they compete in the global economy.

We support continued investment and expansion of the major traffic and logistic highway corridors in our region, including US 36, US 61, US 63 and US 136 to expand economic development opportunities and increase safety. The organization also supports the efforts to enhance and expand multimodal opportunities such as Mississippi River access that further strengthen the region’s position as a logistics center for the nation. We support funding to study transportation projects including alternate routes for Highway 61 in Hannibal and Highway 63 in Macon.