Manufacturing
by U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo)
As families in Missouri continue to recover from the economic recession, we need pro-growth policies that encourage innovation and put more Americans back to work. In Missouri, we’re fortunate to be home to world-class research institutions and innovative manufacturers, large and small, which are ideally situated, to propel us forward in advanced manufacturing.
In 2012, the manufacturing sector in Missouri represented 11 percent of our state’s total employment and contributed more than $32 billion towards the gross state product. Missourians working in the manufacturing sector also brought home salaries that were 21 percent higher than any other industry in Missouri.
In order to ensure manufacturing remains an essential component to our economy, we need a way to make it easier for manufacturers in Missouri and across the nation to adopt new and transformative technologies and techniques to stay competitive.
That’s why I joined U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (Ohio) in introducing the bipartisan “Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act” (RAMI), bipartisan legislation that would establish a Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NMI) to position the United States as the global leader in advanced manufacturing once again.
By bringing together industry, universities and community colleges, federal agencies and all levels of government, we can create a network of manufacturing innovation hubs across the country, which will focus America's efforts to develop and produce the next generation of manufactured products.This bill will give innovators like Dr. Terry Brewer, founder and CEO of Brewer Science headquartered in Rolla, additional opportunities they need to remain competitive. Brewer Science has consistently been at the forefront in developing and manufacturing innovative products and technology and continues to create jobs in a tough economic environment.
A version of this bill that was introduced by U.S. Representatives Tom Reed (N.Y.) and Joe Kennedy (Mass.) passed the U.S. House of Representatives in September 2014. The Senate should also pass this important, bipartisan legislation. At a time when Washington is caught in partisan gridlock, we need to work together to pass bipartisan, common sense bills that spur job creation and ensure Missouri manufacturing remains competitive in a global economy.
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt is a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Missouri elected and appointed officials discussed the inner-workings of the legislative branch both via FaceTime and in person during Mitch Davis’ American government class on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Poplar Bluff High School.
Dignitaries included former Senate Chief of Staff Kit Crancer; state Sen. Doug Libla; chief of staff to president pro tem Sen. Tom Dempsey, Todd Scott; Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder; director of legislation for the Missouri Department of Health and former Senate legislative director, Ellie Glenn; and former president pro tem and current lobbyist for Stinson Leonard Street, Mike Gibbons.
In the photos above: Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, informs students that Missouri lawmakers concluded a record veto override session last month.
Sen. Doug Libla Comments on Latest Development Regarding Noranda
“I am extremely disappointed in the latest decision just handed down by the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC),” Sen. Libla said. “The PSC missed yet another opportunity to do something crucial for our rural economy, especially for Southeast Missouri. This lack of leadership for Missouri ratepayers by the PSC and Governor Nixon is frustrating. We need urgent action now by the Governor to protect these jobs, families, and communities. This lackluster effort and reasoning is both puzzling and very disappointing.”
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This week, the United States House of Representatives passed the “Jobs for America Act” to grow our economy and put Americans back to work. This package of bills included proposals to provide our farmers and small business owners with needed tax relief, and reduce unnecessary regulations.
For the 2014 tax year, unless the “Jobs for America Act” or something like it passes, the amount of equipment that farmers and small businesses can expense like tractors, heavy machinery, or computer software, will be reduced by ninety-five percent.
Section 179 of the tax code – the section that provides for the equipment deduction – expired on January first of this year. Unless it is renewed for 2014, folks will only be able to expense five percent as much of the equipment on their farm, or in their business, that they were able to expense in 2013. Small businesses and farmers will make up for this difference by buying less equipment, and hiring less help.
To fix this problem, and to prevent folks from having to make difficult decisions about how they are going to pay higher tax bills, I have co-sponsored legislation, and the House has now passed it twice, to make the full expensing allowance permanent. Providing small businesses and farmers with this kind of tax relief will help them to grow our economy and create jobs.
In addition to our tax burden, I often hear that rules and regulations are the biggest obstacle to growing our economy. The “Jobs for America Act” includes several pieces of legislation that I have co-sponsored and worked on in committee to prevent new harmful regulations. The act would prevent expensive rules and regulations from being created without a vote of Congress. It would also help small businesses and farmers grow and expand by preventing agencies from developing new rules and regulations in closed-door court settlements.
The House continues to work on legislation like the “Jobs for America Act” to grow our economy while the Senate sits on its hands. There are now over 40 jobs bills that have been passed by the House that the Senate refuses to even take up. Americans want to work, why doesn’t the Senate?
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This week and next, I am traveling our district and listening to the challenges farm families are facing on my two week Farm Tour. Although each farm is unique and each crop or animal raised is different, the message from each visit is the same: Washington regulations are hurting Missouri farm families. I have always been a believer that the best ideas do not come from bureaucrats. The best ideas come from people who actually roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. The information I am learning on the Farm Tour will help me fight oppressive regulations in Washington and advocate for common sense farm policy.
At visits across our district this week I was able to hear directly from producers. In Gordonville, I visited a walnut tree farm that not only produces high quality walnuts, but also grows seeds for future tree plants. At a cotton gin in New Madrid, I heard about how federal policies are impacting our regions cotton farmers. In Oregon County I visited a family-run Berkshire pig farm that is dedicated to producing great pork products for chefs across the country. Benton is home to one of the largest dairy farms in Missouri that uses the latest technology to improve efficiency. In Bloomsdale I toured a goat farm that makes award winning cheeses that are sold nationally. At a corn farm in Dexter, I listened to the concerns and future prospects for Stoddard County farm families.
Agriculture is truly the lifeblood of our district. As your representative in the halls of Congress I have been an advocate for responsible farms policies to ensure Missouri farm families have the certainty and security they need to stay in business. While the Eighth District is home to some of the most diverse agricultural production in the world, every single producer's message to me has been the same: we need less Washington and more common sense. In the House of Representatives I will continue working to end the burdensome regulations that hurt farm families in Missouri and fight for common sense ideas as policy is being created.
