Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe says the state fair in Sedalia had record attendance on Saturday. Lt. Governor Kehoe, who’s seeking Missouri’s GOP gubernatorial nomination, joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” Kehoe has been endorsed by several commodity groups, including the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Corn Growers Association and Missouri Dairy. Lt. Governor Kehoe has high praise for the State Fair’s volunteer fire department in Sedalia. He says it’s the only full operating fire department for 12 days in the nation. Mr. Kehoe tells listeners that the budget signed into law by Missouri Governor Mike Parson will make several repairs to the aging fire house, which has a leaky roof and other issues. Lt. Governor Kehoe is also praising Tuesday’s drive to feed kids event at the state fair. The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) says one in seven Missouri children is food insecure. Mr. Kehoe praises Bernie-based Martin Rice for donating all of the rice for tomorrow’s food packing:
(AUDIO): U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Harrisonville) discusses packer legislation and other farm issues on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Harrisonville) has filed new federal legislation aimed at increasing meat processing capacity in Missouri and nationwide. Congressman Alford’s bill is titled the “Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States (A-PLUS) Act.” Congressman Alford tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that the bill would increase meat processing capacity by allowing livestock auction market owners to invest in small and regional packing facilities. The Missouri Pork Association and the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association have endorsed Congressman Alford’s legislation. Both organizations are headquartered in Columbia:
MDA director and Missouri commodity groups say tax credits are critical to rural economic development
Missouri’s commodity groups are praising the passage of a six-year extension for agricultural tax credits.
Governor Mike Parson (R) has signed the legislation into law, and he was joined by Missouri Pork Association (MPA) executive vice president Don Nikodim and other farm group leaders. Nikodim tells 939 the Eagle that the extension is very important.
“The Missouri Agriculture and Small Business program run through the department here (Missouri Department of Agriculture) helps farmers figure out some things that they need to do to be successful in a business plan etc. And so those dollars are going to be allocated based on the same formula as other tax credits for business innovation are,” Nikodim says.
The Columbia-based Missouri Cattlemen’s Association also joined Governor Parson at the bill-signing ceremony. The tax credits include programs for biodiesel, meat processing facilities and urban farming.
Meantime, Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) director Chris Chinn is also praising the bill’s passage. She says the tax credits are vital to economic development in rural Missouri. Director Chinn tells 939 the Eagle that those tax credits helped the Mid-Missouri Energy ethanol plant in west-central Missouri’s Malta Bend get started.
“We’re really excited about that because it’s added value to the corn farmers in that area, but more importantly to that rural community. It’s provided good-paying jobs in that community,” Chinn says.
Malta Bend is a small farming town of about 175 residents located on Highway 65, between Marshall and Carrollton.
Columbia employers could see impact from massive beef plant being built near Warrenton
Columbia-area business leaders say a new $800-million beef processing plant being built near Wright City could impact some employers here.
The issue was discussed at the recent Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) board meeting. While Columbia business leaders praise the news, they note a number of Columbia-area employers draw workers from east of Kingdom City. They say some of those employees may apply for the new jobs in Wright City, which is 75 miles east of Columbia.
Governor Mike Parson says American Foods Group will create more than 1,300 new jobs with the project.
Meantime, Columbia business leaders and commodity groups based here are praising the decision to build the Wright City plant. REDI executive vice president Bernie Andrews tells 939 the Eagle that this is one of the largest projects he’s heard of in Missouri.
“It’s going to be a beef processing plant. We have here in Columbia plants that make finished products, don’t do any processing itself. But it’s great to have that in Missouri now as a facility for our food manufacturing companies that are here,” Andrews says.
Governor Parson predicts the plant will generate a $1-billion annual economic impact in Missouri.
Tax cut legislation heading to the Missouri House; House Democrats warn about budget impact
The Missouri Senate has given final approval to an approximately $1-billion state tax cut.
Wednesday’s vote was 24-4, sending the bill to the House for consideration. State Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) voted for the bill, saying Missouri has had record revenue growth.
“When we see those numbers, it’s my belief and I think a lot of the other Republicans up here, that we want to provide tax relief to the folks back at home,” Hough says.
Hough, the Senate Appropriations Committee vice chair, joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” The bill also eliminates Missouri’s lowest tax bracket, meaning earners with less than $1,000 annually would no longer have to pay state income taxes.
Senator Hough, who will chair the powerful Appropriations Committee in January, tells listeners that the tax cut would help everyone.
“This helps low-income earners, high-income earners, small businesses that employ all of our friends and neighbors and keep our main streets open,” says Hough.
House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) blasts the bill, saying it will blow a $2-billion hole in the state budget once fully implemented.
“That’s nearly triple what the governor originally claimed his election year tax giveaway for the rich would cost,” Leader Quade tweeted on Wednesday. She says Children’s Division employees at the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) are underpaid and overworked, adding that one DSS employee sells his plasma to pay the bills.
Governor Mike Parson (R) has tweeted that he’s confident the Legislature will approve an income tax cut package.
Both chambers have approved identical farm bills, which extend agricultural tax credits for six years. Governor Parson describes those votes as a huge win for agriculture. The tax credit extension has been a top priority for Missouri’s commodity groups, including the Missouri Farm Bureau and the Columbia-based Missouri Pork Association.