Missouri’s newest commission, the nine-member Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission to Preserve Defense Missions in Missouri, has held its first meeting in Jefferson City. Missouri stands to lose 3,600 military and civilian jobs if the latest Pentagon proposal of base closings goes through unchanged. David Pearce is a State Representative from Warrensburg and serves on the Commission. He says while they are looking to stop the cuts now, they also want to head off any future cuts. Pearce is suggesting changes such as zoning laws more friendly to military operations, and making into law, in-state tuition for dependents of military members serving in Missouri.
