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2009 Legislative Session: GOP ideas will create quality jobs

May 18, 2009

JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Republican Party today commended the GOP-led General Assembly for their hard work and determination in crafting economic development legislation meant to create quality jobs in Missouri.

“Missouri Republicans recognize that there is no greater need right now than for stable, high-paying jobs,” said Lloyd Smith, Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party. “House Speaker Ron Richard and Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields deserve credit for their vision and persistence in the passage of an effective economic development tool. The General Assembly negotiated a bill that will create quality jobs, while protecting taxpayer dollars.”

The Quality Jobs program incentivizes the creation of high-paying jobs that include health insurance by offering employers tax breaks for each new job created. The original legislation was passed by the Republican-led General Assembly and signed into law in 2005. This year’s bill raises the cap on tax credits that can be used to encourage job creation.

The recently-passed economic development legislation also eliminates the corporate franchise tax on many small businesses—another conservative policy that has been proposed several times in recent years.

“Many ideas contained in the economic development bill, including the expansion of the Quality Jobs program and the elimination of many corporate franchise taxes, are conservative proposals that have been around for years,” said Smith. “We are excited that the Republican-led General Assembly acted to reduce the tax burden on small businesses and attract quality jobs that provide their employees with health insurance.”

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