JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – In the wake of Boeing’s decision to build the 777X airliner in the state of Washington rather than Missouri, House Speaker Tim Jones emphasized the importance of the Show-Me State working to further enhance its business climate by embracing policies that promote free market principles, worker freedom and a low tax burden. Jones said it is time for Missouri to look at worker freedom and to explore all policy options that would help bring new business and jobs here.
“Missouri’s leaders came together to quickly craft a very competitive and enticing incentive package for Boeing, but the company’s decision was based on factors broader than just a targeted tax break for one project,” said Jones, R-Eureka. “The state of Washington had an even larger tax break on the table that Boeing walked away from because of a dispute with organized labor. “
Jones added, “It was not until the union acquiesced to various reforms that Boeing made its decision to locate production of the 777X in Washington. That should serve as a powerful reminder that we need to have not only a low tax burden for all but also the agreement of organized labor to adhere to free market principles.
Jones recently completed his fourth tour of Missouri to discuss the Missouri House’s 2014 policy platform titled the “4G Agenda”. Included as priorities is legislation to make Missouri the 25th state in the nation that allows total worker freedom and choice. Jones said other states that have made the change have reaped the benefits of new jobs and explosive economic growth as well as a jump in the standard of living.
“We have a number of factors that make Missouri an ideal location for many companies looking to relocate, but we have to put a full package together to land some of these job-producing opportunities,” said Jones. “That means taking a big picture approach that looks at the entire playing field and gives us the best chance possible to bring good family-supporting jobs to Missouri. Worker Freedom certainly must be part of that discussion, but so too should any policy that creates an environment where new and existing businesses can succeed and grow, and where Missouri citizens can obtain the kinds of jobs that will improve their quality of life.”
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