Capitol Report: Improving the climate for Missouri’s job creators

Throughout this session, we have been working to repair Missouri’s fractured economic foundation. As a small business owner and believer in our free market system, I believe that government does not create jobs, the private sector creates jobs. However, I also understand that government does create a business climate through the public policy surrounding litigation, regulation and taxation.

The way in which our state agencies interact with Missouri’s citizens and businesses has a tremendous impact on the regulatory climate in our state.

Unfortunately, in too many cases, these bureaucratic offices have become nothing more than an enforcement body that creates unnecessary and unproductive burdens. Instead of working in partnership with citizens and entrepreneurs to facilitate progress for all parties, these bureaucrats become barriers to economic growth. As businesses become frustrated with the complexity of the regulations, the cost of compliance, and the impractical interactions with unreasonable regulators, they put their plans on hold thereby limiting new economic opportunities.

For Missouri to be economically competitive, we cannot be known as a state in which it is difficult to do business. Rules and regulations without proper checks and balances become more than just administrative headaches for business owners. They drive up the costs of doing business and limit the private sector’s ability to grow jobs. This places Missouri at a competitive disadvantage because it makes it more difficult to be profitable in our state vs. other states.

If we are going to foster a business climate that facilitates economic growth, we must have a state government that views itself as a partner in the process. This is not about giving preferential treatment to any particular business or industry. It is about creating an overall environment that encourages hard work and investment while ensuring a fair and reasonable opportunity to compete and succeed. With the right framework in place, we can create a climate in which companies want to come here, invest here and grow here, thereby strengthening our financial foundation and returning us to a path of prosperity.

As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my email is [email protected] and my mailing address is Room 422, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.