Brian Hauswirth Archives

240 Jefferson City structures damaged by tornado; Hawley wants Congress to approve disaster aid (AUDIO)

May 26, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s junior senator says tornado damage assessments must get done quickly so relief can get to impacted communities like Jefferson City and Eldon.

Missouri Senator Josh Hawley views a tornado-damaged building near the old MSP in Jefferson City on May 25, 2019 (Brian Hauswirth photo)

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R) toured tornado-damaged Jefferson City on Saturday, where Fire Chief Matt Schofield told him that about 240 homes and businesses have been damaged by the storm. The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis says the EF-3 tornado packed an estimated peak wind of 160 miles per hour.

“A lot of them (homes and businesses) destroyed. There’s going to be a lot of need for relief here,” Hawley says. “My heart just goes out to the families especially who are looking at the loss of their home, some of them without places to stay.”

Hawley took a walk Saturday afternoon along East Capitol Avenue, which is east of the Statehouse and near the old Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP). Hawley visited with residents and shopkeepers who’ve been affected.

Hawley spoke to a Missourinet reporter, across the street from a damaged building that Hawley says could cave in.

“I mean we’re looking at one whole side of the building is literally gone,” says Hawley. “The roof is gone, and I’m told that we can expect this last outer wall to fall.”

There are bricks, blocks and boards surrounding that building, along with broken glass.

Hawley praises the volunteers who showed up Saturday with chainsaws and tools, as well as mid-Missourians who have taken in neighbors and family members impacted by the tornado.

He says it’s a testament to the spirit of Missouri.

State Rep. Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, tells Missourinet that more than 1,000 volunteers showed up on Saturday in Jefferson City. They helped remove debris and assisted impacted residents and business owners.

Legends Bank served lunch Sunday to tornado victims and volunteers, at City Hall.

There were no fatalities in the Jefferson City tornado.

Meantime, Hawley also criticizes U.S. Senate Democrats, saying they filibustered disaster relief for two months.

During the East Capitol Avenue interview with Missourinet, Senator Hawley also called out a fellow Republican on Capitol Hill for holding up a $19 billion disaster relief package.

U.S. House leaders attempted to pass the disaster relief bill last week by unanimous consent, but U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) objected.

Hawley says Missourians are suffering and need relief now.

“This is enough of this. People can, they should bargain with other chips, not with this. We should not be holding up relief for our farmers and our communities,” Hawley says.

Politico reports Congressman Roy wants a roll call vote and complains the measure lacks offsets.

Senator Hawley tells Missourinet he wants U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) to bring the House back in on Memorial Day, to vote on disaster relief.

The U.S. Senate approved it on Thursday.

Some businesses that normally would be closed on the weekend have been open, due to the tornado.

The United Way of Central Missouri’s Jefferson City office was open on Sunday, and insurance companies like State Farm and American Family have set up tents at Capital Mall, where adjusters and agents are stationed.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full three-minute interview with U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, which was recorded on May 25, 2019 near the old Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City:

BREAKING: Missouri abortion bill heading to governor’s desk; galleries cleared after outbursts

May 17, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Legislation that would essentially ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected is on its way to Governor Mike Parson’s desk, after receiving final approval Friday afternoon from the Missouri House.

State Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, speaks on the Missouri House floor on May 13, 2019 in Jefferson City (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The bill is sponsored by State Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon. The House vote was 110-44, and happened after about two hours of emotional debate that included numerous outbursts from audience members.

House GOP leaders ordered some galleries to be cleared, after audience members began shouting “when you lie, people die.” After the crowd was removed, lawmakers and reporters could still hear the shouting in Capitol hallways.

A Missourinet reporter observed extra Capitol Police officers in the chamber and hallways this morning, along with plainclothes officers wearing ear pieces.

At least one Democrat, State Rep. Joe Runions, D-Grandview, voted for the bill.

The bill includes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest cases.

The Missouri Senate voted earlier this week to approve the bill. The Senate vote came after about 15 hours of filibuster and negotiations.

The bill contains an emergency clause, which means it will take effect as soon as Governor Mike Parson (R) signs it.

Missouri House expected to debate abortion bill on Friday

May 16, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The Missouri House Majority Leader’s office says the heartbeat abortion bill that has attracted national media attention is not expected to be debated in the House until Friday.

Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr speaks to Capitol reporters on February 27, 2019 in Jefferson City, as State Reps. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, Adam Schnelting and Nick Schroer look on (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The office of House Majority Leader Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, tells Missourinet debate is expected tomorrow.

Missouri’s 2019 legislative session ends tomorrow evening at 6, under the state Constitution.

The Missouri Senate voted early this morning to approve a bill that would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected. The Senate vote came after about 15 hours of filibustering and negotiations.

The bill includes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest cases.

The Senate debate became heated at times, with State Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake St. Louis, making a serious allegation about trafficking of fetal tissue.

“They removed the ban on fetal tissue trafficking. Right now, I’ve become very convinced for a number of reasons, that there is active trafficking of aborted fetal tissue from the abortion clinic on Forest Park Avenue in St. Louis to Washington University School of Medicine,” Onder said.

State Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Couer, disputes Onder’s claim.

“It’s already illegal and it’s simply untrue. It’s disappointing to hear the Senator speak that way,” Schupp says.

The House approved HB 126 in February by a 117-39 vote, with three Democratic lawmakers voting for the bill. They were State Reps. Steve Butz, D-St. Louis, Joe Runions, D-Grandview, and Rory Rowland, D-Independence.

The legislation, which is sponsored in the House by State Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, would prohibit selective abortions due to sex, race or diagnosis of Down Syndrome.

Opponents include State Rep. Deb Lavander, D-Kirkwood, who has said that lawmakers should be focusing instead on Missouri’s high maternal mortality rate.

House Speaker Pro Tem Wiemann outlines priorities for Missouri session’s final two days (AUDIO)

May 16, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Legislation that would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected is the top priority for Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, R-O’Fallon, during the 2019 session’s final two days.

Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann addresses House colleagues about GM on May 13, 2019 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Transportation funding and redistricting are the other two main priorities for Wiemann. Mandatory adjournment for the Legislature is Friday evening at 6, under the state Constitution.

Republicans control the House 114-46 and they control the Senate 24-10.

Pro Tem Wiemann hopes the Senate passes the heartbeat bill, which also requires abortion providers to increase the minimum amount of required medical malpractice insurance from $500,000 to $1 million per occurrence.

“I’m hopeful that they (Missouri Senate leaders) will finally bring it to a vote and we will move on and be a state that has one of the strongest pro-life bills in the country,” Wiemann says.

Anti-abortion state senators who are part of the Senate Conservative Caucus say there is an impasse in the Missouri Senate.

GOP Governor Mike Parson held a Statehouse press briefing on Wednesday where he called for a Senate vote, telling reporters that “the unborn deserve an up or down vote.”

State Sens. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, and Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City, have been among those filibustering the abortion bill.

“I mean this is a horrible piece of legislation. I mean, you’re talking about allowing for men and women to be forced to have a child even if it’s rape or incest. And then physicians going to jail, with a felony D charge,” Nasheed tells Senate colleagues.

The House approved the legislation in late February.

Meantime, transportation and infrastructure funding is another top priority for Wiemann, in the final two days.

While lawmakers have included funding for Governor Parson’s bridge bonding plan in the budget, Wiemann notes the General Assembly must also pass the underlying bill.

“I think we have a good compromise that we put together in the House and the Senate and I’m hopeful that they (Senate leaders) will bring that bill up as well,” says Wiemann.

Wiemann tells Missourinet the bill before the Senate contains a combination of transportation bonding and funding, adding that bonding is necessary for some matching funds from the federal government.

While the Legislature has included about $350 million in bonding money in the recently-approved budget, Pro Tem Wiemann says lawmakers must approve the statutes to enact that.

“Part of the puzzle has been done but we need to finish the puzzle by passing this legislation to enable it, the funding,” Wiemann says.

He also supports what he describes as redistricting reform, which he says has “less of a chance of passing” but hopes it’s approved by the Senate.

This involves Amendment One, which was approved by Missourians in November.

Under Amendment One, a state demographer would draw state legislative districts. Wiemann says modifications need to be made to that provision. Democrats who support Amendment One oppose changes, saying 62 percent of Missouri voters approved the measure in November.

As for other legislation, Wiemann says time is the biggest factor now, saying that good bills could potentially “die on the vine.”

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, R-O’Fallon, which was recorded on May 15, 2019 at the Statehouse in Jefferson City:

Rone: Missouri Bootheel farmland has been underwater for more than 100 days (AUDIO)

May 15, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

A state lawmaker who chairs the Missouri House Agriculture Policy Committee says flooding in southeast Missouri’s Bootheel has hurt towns like Caruthersville, Hayti and New Madrid.

State Rep. Don Rone, R-Portageville, speaks on the Missouri House floor on May 14, 2019 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

State Rep. Don Rone, R-Portageville, says the flooding and rains have caused about $150,000 in damage to Caruthersville’s sewer system.

“Because the seep water gets into their sewers and it’s created a lot of problems, especially at Caruthersville,” Rone says.

Caruthersville, which is a town of about 6,000 residents, is bordered on the north and the east by the Mississippi River.

In addition to his legislative duties at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City, Rone also serves on the St. Francis Levee District in Caruthersville.

Representative Rone says a majority of farmland between the levee in Caruthersville and the Mississippi River has been underwater for more than 100 days. Rone tells Missourinet that rain has been hurting most Bootheel farmers.

“Cotton planting time is a certain time, and if you don’t get it in, you don’t get it in,” says Rone. “I mean, you don’t usually like to go past June 1.”

Rone says cotton farmers will probably have to replant, adding that farmers behind the levee will be late getting a crop in. He also notes there have been no levee breaks.

Chairman Rone also says there’s been “a little bit of trouble getting rice in”, because of the rain.

“And usually, rice goes on gumbo ground or white clay ground, which historically stays wet longer and we’ve had a little bit of a problem getting the rice crop in,” Rone says.

The Missouri Rice Council notes rice production in the Show-Me State is completely located in southeast Missouri, with Dunklin, Pemiscot and Butler counties having the largest acreages.

Rone also says potatoes are in and peanuts are going in.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full five-minute interview with State Rep. Don Rone, R-Portageville, which was recorded at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on May 9, 2019:

Missouri House approves second GM Wentzville bill; overnight Senate filibuster continues

May 14, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The Missouri House voted Monday afternoon in Jefferson City to approve a second piece of legislation aimed at attracting a $1 billion expansion at the General Motors plant in Wentzville, and one also aimed at ending a Senate filibuster.

State Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, speaks on the Missouri House floor on May 13, 2019 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The House voted 114-31 to approve legislation from State Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, which does not include the Fast Track provision. Fast Track is a top priority of Governor Mike Parson (R), which allows Missourians to receive advanced training in high-demand areas.

“We did discuss including a provision in here which would ultimately not allow the tax credits to go into effect if the company fails to retain 90 percent of the amount of employees employed on the date of the execution,” Schroer says.

Removing Fast Track is aimed at attracting support from State Sens. Bob Onder, R-Lake St. Louis, and Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring. Neither senator want Fast Track attached to the GM bill.

Schroer, who also voted for the first bill on Thursday, tells House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, R-O’Fallon, the second bill is aimed at giving the Senate another option.

“You know it’s something that I think, not only your (the Wiemann legislative) district, my district, but I think everybody in the state will benefit if not only GM invests $1 billion, but we have programs out there such as the underlying bill,” says Schroer.

The underlying bill Representative Schroer refers to is sponsored by State Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau. It would also allow the state Department of Economic Development (DED) to require a qualified business to repay benefits if the business fails to maintain the new or retained jobs, within five years of receiving approval of benefits.

Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann addresses House colleagues about GM on May 13, 2019 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Schroer and Pro Tem Wiemann’s revised GM version includes $50 million in tax credits for General Motors.

Schroer says the bill is an incentive package for anyone willing to invest in Missouri.

“Have them come talk to the Department of Economic Development, and I can guarantee you that they’re going to try to work something out. If you’re willing to invest $1 billion in our state, we’ll try to see what we can do to compete against these other states to ensure that’s here in the Show-Me,” Schroer says.

Meantime, a filibuster continues on this Tuesday morning in the Missouri Senate, after the House approved the second version, one that supporters hoped would prevent a filibuster.

Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, says GM supports the original version that was approved Thursday evening by the House by a 92-51 vote.

That version included a package that would give $5 million per year in tax credits over ten years to automakers that invest at least $750 million in plant upgrades, and would provide tax credits earlier in a business expansion. That version also includes Fast Track.

Pro Tem Schatz has refused to accept the second version, telling KMIZ Television in a Capitol hallway that “the Senate is not taking options at this point. We’re just not. No, we’re not taking options. We have the governor’s priorities (first version) and we’re not taking options at this point.”

DED Director Rob Dixon tweeted this weekend that he met with GM on April 25, and that the company asked for workforce and infrastructure support, and asked DED to advance the full legislative package, including Fast Track and what’s known as “Deal Closing.”

Dixon’s weekend tweets also note that no decision has been made by GM, and that Missouri can secure the long-term viability of the plant with the full legislation. Dixon also says the governor’s proposal benefits industries in all corners of Missouri.

Both House versions are aimed at landing the $1 billion expansion in Wentzville, one of Missouri’s fastest-growing cities.

The GM plant in Wentzville has about 4,600 employees.

According to documents provided by Governor Parson’s office, the upgrades to the plant would not immediately create new jobs but would ensure that production remains in Wentzville long-term. The documents also say GM has 178 suppliers across Missouri, with the broader impact of the plant supporting more than 12,200 jobs statewide.

The plant produces vehicles such as the GMC Canyon and the Chevrolet Colorado.

The 2019 legislative session ends on May 17.

Missouri State Representative Roeber still recovering from vehicle crash

May 13, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The Missouri House Speaker says a state lawmaker who was seriously injured in a March head-on collision will need to learn to walk again.

State Rep. Rebecca Roeber, R-Lee’s Summit, speaks on the Missouri House floor on May 12, 2017 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, tells Missourinet that State Rep. Rebecca Roeber, R-Lee’s Summit, continues to recover. Roeber is no longer at MU Health Care in Columbia.

“Representative Roeber is now back in the Kansas City area, she continues to receive treatment but at least my understanding is her need for surgeries are done,” Haahr says.

The March collision happened on Highway 50 in west-central Missouri’s Syracuse. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says Roeber crossed the center line on Highway 50 and struck a second vehicle.

Roeber, who was first elected to the House in 2014, chairs the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee. She will not return to the Capitol this session, which ends Friday at 6 p.m.

Meantime, legislation that would allow charter schools to expand to Missouri cities and charter counties with a population larger than 30,000 is finished for the year.

Chairwoman Roeber is the House sponsor. Her bill is House bill 581.

House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, R-O’Fallon, tells Missourinet the bill was removed from the House calendar because of the amount of time it sat in the calendar and was not brought up for debate.

Speaker Haahr told Missourinet recently the bill already faced an uncertain future with Roeber out. He noted that charter school legislation would have probably have had come through the Senate first, where it’s already been filibustered.

“If not, we always have next year to work on that issue,” says Haahr.

Proponents of charter school expansion legislation include the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the organization Excellence in Education in Action. Supporters say school choices benefit all in society and that expansion will give more children an opportunity to attend schools that meet their needs.

Bill opponents include the Missouri School Boards Association and the Missouri State Teachers Association. Opponents say removing students from public education impacts the overall district and that the fiscal impact of charter school expansion will hurt public school funding and programs.

Under current law, charter schools are only allowed in St. Louis, Kansas City and an unaccredited school district. Charter schools are publicly-funded schools which operate independently of traditional public schools.

Missouri lawmakers approve $29 billion budget; tuition for undocumented immigrants was key issue

May 10, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The Missouri Legislature has approved an approximately $29.7 billion state operating budget, one that prevents undocumented immigrants from receiving in-state college tuition.

Missouri House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage (left) and House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, talk on May 9, 2019 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The state Constitution requires Missouri lawmakers to approve a balanced budget by today. The House approved the budget at about 11:15 Thursday evening, and the Senate approved it at about 1:45 this morning.

House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, led Thursday’s House effort to reject a budget conference committee’s recommendation that would have allowed those with unlawful immigration status to receive in-state tuition.

“And the House position is that we are going to reserve our limited resources and taxpayer dollars to subsidize in-state tuition for those with legal, lawful status,” Smith says.

State Rep. Curtis Trent, R-Springfield, who serves on the Budget Committee, also successfully urged his House colleagues to reject the budget conference committee’s recommendation.

“I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that if we allow this language to stand, people primarily in rural areas will be most injured by this, who will be most denied the opportunities that this state subsidy for education provides,” says Trent.

Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, speaks on the House floor on May 9, 2019 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Trent says his southwest Missouri constituents oppose providing in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants. State Rep. Dean Dohrman, R-La Monte, agrees with Trent, citing his constituents in Johnson, Pettis and Saline counties.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, criticized Thursday’s House vote on the undocumented immigrants, noting the House hasn’t rejected a conference committee recommendation since 2009.

State Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis, is also critical, saying the conference committee had compromised on the issue.

As for the overall budget, Senate Democratic Leader Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, says it fully funds the school foundation formula and increases school transportation funding.

“At the start of the 2019 legislative session (in January), the Senate Democratic Caucus called for fully funding the school foundation formula, increasing school transportation dollars, strengthening our workforce through Higher Education and job training, and making sure our mental health safety net is there for anyone in crisis. Today, Senate Democrats passed a bipartisan, balanced budget that achieves all of these goals and more,” Senator Walsh’s statement reads, in part.

The budget also includes a three percent pay increase for state employees, along with an $8 million retention pay plan aimed at wage increases for state Department of Corrections (DOC) staff.

The budget also includes the closing of the maximum-security Crossroads Correctional Center in northwest Missouri’s Cameron. House Budget Committee ranking Democrat Kip Kendrick, D-Columbia, supports the plan.

“Which I know is important to a lot of people in this building (Missouri Capitol), the consolidation of the two correctional facilities on the western side of the state,” Kendrick says.

Kendrick backs Governor Mike Parson’s (R) plan to consolidate Crossroads with Western Missouri Correctional Center, which is also located in Cameron.

Governor Parson says the estimated $20 million savings from closing Crossroads will give DOC employees a one percent pay raise for two years of continued service.

Parson outlined the corrections plan in January, at a Statehouse press conference with DOC Director Anne Precythe.

Precythe noted in January that Western Missouri Correctional Center has 1,900 beds, about 800 more than Crossroads. She also says there’s more programming available there and more space, which gives prisoners the opportunity to participate in more activities and keep them busy, which she says makes it a safer environment.

Missouri lawmakers will return to Jefferson City on Monday. The 2019 session ends on May 17.

Both sides on sexual orientation bill pack Missouri Capitol hearing room to testify

May 9, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Legislation adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Missouri’s Human Rights statute was heard Wednesday afternoon by a House committee in Jefferson City. The House General Laws Committee heard about 90 minutes of testimony, before a standing-room only audience.

State Reps. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, (at right) and Tom Hannegan, R-St. Charles, testify before the Missouri House General Laws Committee on May 8, 2019 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

State Rep. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, who is gay, is the bill sponsor. Razer testifies it is not illegal in Missouri or nationally to fire someone for being LGBT.

“It is perfectly fine (under current law) to fire someone from their job, evict them from their home or deny them service say, at a restaurant, simply because you know they are or think they might be LGBT,” Razer says.

Razer says people can lose their homes and their jobs because they are gay or lesbian.

He emphasizes the bill is not special treatment for LGBT people, adding this is the 21st straight year the bill has been filed.

Razer and State Rep. Tom Hannegan, R-St. Charles, have filed the same bill. Hannegan, who is also gay, testifies this is about constitutional rights and about people being equal.

Razer’s House Bill 208 would prohibit discrimination based upon a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Several religious organizations testified against the bill on Wednesday.

Grandview-based Desert Stream Ministries community outreach coordinator Amanda Smith testified against the bill, saying she identified as a lesbian 12 years ago and dated women. Smith is worried about what will happen next, if the bill passes.

State Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis, who supports the bill, questioned Smith at the hearing.

“Do you think at that time in your life (12 years ago) while you were going through that period that it would have been okay for a landlord to deny you an apartment because they didn’t like that you identified as male?,” Merideth asked Smith.

“No,” Smith replied.

The Jefferson City-based Missouri Catholic Conference also testified against Razer’s legislation. Catholic Conference executive director Tyler McClay cites religious liberty concerns.

“The concern is regarding faith-based organizations that provide foster care and adoption care services in other states where this law has been passed, they have been shut out of government contracts,” McClay testifies.

The Missouri Baptist Convention also testified against the bill.

Missouri’s oldest business association also testified against the Razer-Hannegan legislation. Associated Industries of Missouri (AIM) President Ray McCarty testifies that creating a new cause of action for sexual orientation and gender identity is troublesome.

“According to the American Psychological Association, sexual orientation really involves your emotional attraction to another person, which is different than other types of protection,” says McCarty.

McCarty also says Missouri lawmakers should wait until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on three cases, cases he says could establish whether existing federal protection against sex discrimination applies to alleged discrimination because of sexual orientation and gender identity.

But Razer says the time to act is now, adding this is not a special law and that this is not a new law.

The St. Louis Regional Chamber and some other business representatives testified for the bill, saying it’s the right thing to do and will also improve the economy. A representative from Monsanto also testified for Razer’s bill.

The House General Laws Committee did not vote on the bill Wednesday, and is not expected to meet again until next week.

The 2019 legislative session ends on May 17. Razer says lawmakers can pass the bill before session ends.

Missouri Governor Parson heading to Wentzville to discuss GM legislation

May 7, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor will travel to Wentzville on Wednesday afternoon, to discuss legislation aimed at helping General Motors (GM) expand there.

Governor Mike Parson addresses firefighters during the Missouri State Firefighters Day in Jefferson City on March 6, 2019 (file photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI}

Governor Mike Parson (R) plans to meet Wednesday at Wentzville City Hall with Mayor Nick Guccione and other local officials about legislation aimed at attracting a $1 billion expansion at the Wentzville GM plant.

The governor says they’ll be discussing “continued efforts to sharpen Missouri’s economic development tools,” aimed at growing the state’s automotive industry.

Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, told Missourinet Tuesday afternoon that lawmakers were in “constant conversation” with Governor Parson, adding that they hoped to finalize GM legislation language by tonight.

About 4,600 people work at GM’s Wentzville plant, according to the GM website. The plant produces vehicles such as the GMC Canyon and the Chevrolet Colorado.

The plant, which opened in 1983, was outfitted so it can produce both vans and mid-size trucks on a single line. The plant also has an on-site stamping facility that produces most of the parts used in production of the Chevy Express and GMC Savana vans.

Wentzville, which is known as the “Crossroads of the Nation”, is one of Missouri’s fastest-growing cities. Its current population is about 40,000. The city’s website notes the city’s population skyrocketed from 6,896 in 2000 to 29,070 in the 2010 census.

The plant is located in the legislative district of State Rep. Bryan Spencer, R-Wentzville. He told Missourinet on Monday that he’s optimistic lawmakers will approve an incentives package for GM by the 2019 session’s end, which is May 17.

Representative Spencer has described this is a “joint community effort”, involving GM, the governor, state lawmakers, Mayor Guccione, city administrator David Gipson and St. Charles County officials.

GM’s Wentzville plant is union, represented by United Auto Workers Local 2250.

Spencer also emphasizes the plant is a regional employer, with autoworkers driving daily from towns as far away as Boonville and Hannibal to work there.