The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s efforts to grow the state’s tech economy included the formation of a new bipartisan caucus in the Missouri General Assembly.
The Missouri Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus was formed with a special focus on advancing legislation to help advance and support tech innovation statewide.
“It’s clear to us which lawmakers are helping us pass pro-jobs policy, and which are not,” said Kara Corches, vice president of governmental affairs with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “We are fortunate to have a very pro-business legislature in Missouri with goals that unify many Republicans and Democrats.”
As a result, the annual Business Champions list in 2022 includes pro-business lawmakers from both parties.
State legislators who scored at least a 70% voting record of siding with the Missouri Chamber on priority business issues were included. Some 24 members of the Missouri Senate and 68 members of the Missouri House of Representatives met that criteria.
Winning lawmakers are listed on the Missouri Chamber website.
The top 9, who scored a 100% voting record, included Rep. Allen Andrews, Rep. Shamed Dogan, Sen. Lincoln Hough, Rep. Peggy McGaugh, Rep. Lane Roberts, Senate Majority Floor Leader Caleb Rowden, Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, Rep. Brenda Shields, and Sen. Bill White.
“The biggest issue was the anti-business policy being pursued by some fringe lawmakers last session,” Corches told the St. Louis Record. “Support for free enterprise and the right to let businesses decide workplace policies really became a deciding factor when it comes to which lawmakers were included as Business Champions.”
The Business Champion designation recognizes state lawmakers who supported policies during the 2022 Legislative Session to make Missouri a more competitive place to do business.
“We spent a lot of time educating legislators about the business community’s position on issues and advocating for legislation that will help businesses thrive,” Corches added. “We also spent a lot of time encouraging local businesses to speak directly to their lawmakers on these issues. It’s often these conversations that have the biggest impact.”
Pro-business policies include:
- Protecting the right to let businesses decide on vaccine policy
- Blocking an effort to short-change transportation infrastructure
- Extending the vital "Fast Track" workforce training program
- Addressing the childcare crisis with innovative business-led solutions
- Bolstering efforts to onshore high-tech manufacturing in Missouri
- Encouraging Missouri-made business innovation
- Keeping energy reliable and affordable