In his latest newsletter, Rep. Don Phillips, R-Kimberling City, talks about what the Boeing deal will mean to the state. The legislature's special session to discuss the deal began today.
The 2014 regular legislative session begins on January 8; however, Governor Nixon has called for a Special Session to begin on Monday.
The Special Session will specifically deal with an attempt to develop a plan to offer Boeing Aircraft a tax incentive (about $150 million worth) to bring their 777X manufacturing plant to Missouri.
The Boeing deal would generate billions of dollars for our state and create thousands of jobs.
Missouri is in competition with about 15 other states to land this project. Boeing’s home state of Washington is not friendly toward the new project due to ongoing conflicts with labor unions.
There’s only 10 calendar days for the general assembly to agree on a piece of legislation allowing such an offer and even then we have stiff competition from other states offering similar incentives and more.
The project could go entirely to one state or it could be divided among more than one state. It’s likely that one state will land the project.
I believe this will be a bi-partisan piece of legislation with the overall welfare of our state in mind. Some will ask, “Well, HB 253, a tax cut bill, didn’t pass, so why should (or will) this one?” To me, the two are apples and oranges. HB 253 had language problems and unintended consequences as well as an uncertain path to success. The Boeing Project on the other hand has already been awarded so there’s no speculation, it’s a sure thing; it’s just a matter of where the company ends up. The positive economic impact on our state is a sure thing.
With such a short time frame to work with, it’s likely the legislation will originate in only one chamber (House or Senate) and then proceed on a fast track. Much of the regular legislation begins in both chambers, with similar bills; then things are hashed out to come up with a single bill. That won’t be the case this time. I don’t think there’s time for anything except a direct approach (which gives you some insight into how quickly things can work if necessary)!
Personally, the uncertainty of the schedule is difficult to work around. I already have events scheduled within the district. I know I need to be at the capitol on Monday for sure. The rest is up in the air depending on which chamber starts the ball rolling. If the bill starts in the Senate, I probably will have to go back to Jefferson City on Friday. If it starts in the House, I may be there most or all of the week. The deadline is the 10th and that appears to be the only certainty.
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