2020 BUSINESS CHAMPIONS

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry is proud to honor the following lawmakers as Business Champions during the 2020 Legislative Session. Their work is helping build a better business climate to grow our economy, help our employers and attract investment opportunities to our state.

Millions of dollars awarded to Missouri broadband providers from FCC and USDA Rural Development auctions — plus any future federal broadband dollars that may be awarded

BROADBAND — are now safe from being returned to the federal government, thanks to a bill we supported making it possible for the state to reassign unused funds from one provider to another. (HB 1768 — Rep. Lou Riggs, Sen. )

We advocated for a bill allowing skilled professionals who are already licensed in another state to come to Missouri and enter the workforce. It also enhances apprenticeships in our state by making it possible for apprentices to obtain industry licenses as part of an apprenticeship.

WORKFORCE These changes will prove critical to the recovery of our workforce from the impact COVID-19 had on jobs. (HB 2046 — Rep. Derek Grier, Sen. Mike Bernskoetter)

Missouri’s economic reputation has been hurt by a poor legal climate, which has significant impacts on our state’s ability to compete for jobs. A bill we fought for ends the abuse of Missouri’s punitive damage system, which was being used to pressure businesses into agreeing to windfall- sized payouts. We also worked to restore the MMPA to its original intent, curbing the practice of recruiting supposedly defrauded clients LEGAL CLIMATE LEGAL for consumer lawsuits that opened the door for private lawsuits to seek punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and massive class actions. (SB 591 — Sen. Bill White, Rep. Bruce DeGroot) Missouri House of Representatives

Lauren Arthur Sonya Anderson Steve Lynch 100% Mike Bernskoetter Allen Andrews Don Mayhew Justin Brown Peggy McGaugh 100% Charles Basye 100% Mike McGirl 100% Mike Cunningham 100% John Black 100% Lynn Morris Dan Hegeman 100% David Muntzel 100% Lincoln Hough Robert Bromley Jim Murphy Andrew Koenig Michael O’Donnell 100% Philip Christofanelli 100% Jeff Coleman 100% Mary Elizabeth Coleman Cindy O’Laughlin 100% Dirk Deaton Bruce DeGroot Bradley Pollitt 100% 100% 100% J. Eggleston Karla Eslinger J. Gina Walsh 100% William White 100% 100% 100% 100% Brian Williams David Gregory Derek Grier 100% Aaron Griesheimer Dave Griffith 100% 100% Elijah Haahr 100% 100% Kent Haden 100% Mike Haffner John Simmons Cody Smith Jim Hansen Steve Helms 100% Mike Henderson Mike Stephens 100% Brad Hudson 100% Jeffery Justus Ann Kelley 100% Sara Walsh Jeff Knight 100% 100% 100%

The 100% mark designates lawmakers who supported the pro-business position on each ranked vote. Votes on the following bills were considered in determining the 2020 list of Business Champions. Legislators with a vote rating of 70 percent or higher are included in the Business Champions list.

BILL NUMBER ISSUE

SB 591 Legal reform (Punitive damages, MMPA)

HB 1963 Transportation & infrastructure

HB 1854 Included targeted industrial manufacturing enhancement zones legislation

SB 632 Broadband

HB 2049 Civil actions/arbitration

SB 594 Targeted industrial manufacturing enhancement zones

HB 1768 Broadband

HB 2046 Workforce

HB 2120 Gas infrastructure

HB 2456 Health care provider federal reimbursement allowances

HB 1693 Prescription drug monitoring program

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