Nothing much new in Spence's job creation plan

(From the Dave Spence for Governor campaign)

Dave Spence, Republican candidate for governor, today outlined some of his ideas for creating jobs and growing Missouri’s economy. Spence’s “Back to Work” concepts will serve as the framework for his jobs plan that he would implement, starting Day One in the Governor’s Office. During the course of his campaign Spence will also meet with small business owners and employees, industry leaders and policy experts to incorporate their ideas as well. A successful business owner, Spence has made no secret that he will make job creation and tackling Missouri’s future robbing 8.2% unemployment rate his top priority.



“I don’t need a poll to tell me that the lagging economy is the number one issue on the minds of Missouri voters. Our unemployment rate is simply unacceptable, especially when you see neighboring states performing better in this economy,” said Spence. “Career politicians, government bureaucrats, and special interest lobbyists aren’t going to make the changes we need to grow our economy. Jay Nixon and his career politician friends in Jeff City simply don’t know what it takes to create jobs in the private sector, but I do.”



Spence, 53, recently stepped down as the President of Alpha Packaging after nearly 27 years at the helm. Alpha is a Missouri-based plastics manufacturing company that Dave built from the ground up. Spence secured a loan to buy Alpha in 1985 at the age of 26. At the time, the business had about 15 employees. A proven job creator, Dave has led Alpha’s remarkable expansion to over 800 employees. He has also served as the Chairman of Legacy Pharmaceutical Packaging, a Missouri-based company. While quality manufacturing jobs were evaporating across the country, Dave found the formula to break that trend and help provide a good living for hundreds of Missourians.



“For the past 27 years, I have been building a business from the ground up and creating quality jobs. For the past 25 years, Jay Nixon has been living off the taxpayers. With 250,000 Missourians out of work, clearly it’s time for some new, bold leadership and fresh ideas,” added Spence.



Dave’s initial “Back to Work” policy ideas include:



· Proven Job Creators at Economic Development- We need to hire a proven and respected private sector leader to run the Department of Economic Development (“DED”). We do not need more attorneys in government, particularly at DED. Dave will also take personal responsibility for the department’s results.

· Tax Credits That Actually Create Jobs- We need to have a moratorium on all state tax credits until they are fully vetted for effectiveness by independent review. Taxpayers deserve a positive Return on Investment, we should be treating every dollar as if it is our last.

· Make Missouri More Welcoming- We must consider reasonable, common sense reforms in workers’ compensation, the judicial system, employment legislation, and tort law to help attract or create new jobs.

· Upgrade Our Transportation System- We should not stand in the way of the Department of Transportation reviewing options for projects such as improving I-70 to make our transportation infrastructure safe and effective.

· Energize Our Economy- We must reduce the impact of energy costs on Missouri families and employers by increasing our energy supply and securing our energy future. Producers and consumers need to be brought together to develop a strategy that keeps Missouri competitive.

· Free Market Wages- We should reexamine prevailing wage laws to determine if they are unnecessarily driving up construction costs, while hindering Joplin and other communities from fully rebuilding.