Our advocacy work is like a megaphone
With the start of the Missouri General Assembly session, our public affairs volunteers and staff are in high gear, traveling to the capitol each week to advocate the legislative agenda recommended by our Legislative Policy Committee and approved by our board of directors.
For 31 years, the Chamber has partnered with city and county government, the public school system, libraries and others in a Salute to Missouri Legislators. The reception, hosted by the Springfield Metro Partnership, is a chance to showcase the Springfield region, not just to our local legislators, but to elected officials across the state. Turnout for the Jan. 27 event was great: More than 120 office holders attended and 240 people from Springfield traveled to Jefferson City for the event.
In the state capitol earlier that day, Chamber leaders met with the governor’s and attorney general’s staff teams, as well as with House and Senate leadership and local legislators. They and others from the Metro Partnership presented a unified voice on top legislative priorities including workforce development, transportation funding and education funding.
Our Legislative Luncheon, held Jan. 15, has become a critical element of the Chamber’s advocacy work, framing our policy positions for local state lawmakers, just as the new General Assembly session begins. The discussion focused on some of the Chamber’s key priorities for 2016: workforce development, customized training, transportation, workers’ compensation and education. Senators and representatives took time to present their views on these issues and offered perspective on the session just started.
Read more about the issues we’re advocating in the state capitol in our State Legislative Agenda. For national issues, our priorities are explained in our Federal Legislative Agenda.
On Feb. 3, the Chamber began the process of endorsement of candidates for Springfield Public School Board of Education. Five candidates are vying for two three-year seats; one candidate is running to fill the remaining five years of a six-year term vacated by Francine Pratt. Our School Board Endorsement Task Force interviewed each candidate and will submit recommendations for endorsement to the Chamber board.
