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Four area state representatives were on hand March 18 to give members of the Clay County Economic Development Council a mid-term review of the 2008 Missouri legislative session.
Jerry Nolte (R-33), Tim Flook (R-34), Doug Ervin (R-35) and Ryan Silvey (R-38) provided in-depth information on a broad range of topics being proposed as new or modified laws. Lydia McEvoy was also on hand to represent Senator Luann Ridgeway (R-17).
Pending legislation represented a tremendous variety of topics. Nolte noted progress toward redevelopment of Antioch Center represented by approval of $2.5 million in state Brownfield redevelopment funds, assistance needed to help jumpstart new construction at the old center. Flook cited a proposed bill that would help promote development of an air cargo center at Kansas City International Airport along with an economic development omnibus bill that would, among other things, increase Missouri’s successful Quality Jobs effort.
Ervin, who has worked previously on improving health care, noted efforts to create a pilot program to assist small businesses.
Silvey noted cases where savings and program improvement balanced concerns over the proposed budget. One example involves a relatively modest, $3.3 million statewide expenditure to increase from four to 300 the number of locations providing a key children’s health care program
Mike Chambers, chair of the EDC’s Civic and legislative Affairs Committee, led the session, which was held at Finnigan’s in North Kansas City.