Missouri Chamber releases 2021 economic recovery plan

Input from over 500 CEOs and business leaders across the state has been included in the 2021 Legislative Agenda released this week by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce. The agenda this year will serve as a guide for economic recovery amid COVID-19.

As lawmakers prepare to return to Jefferson City for the 2021 Legislative Session, the Missouri Chamber is releasing its Legislative Agenda to help guide our state’s economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce released the 2021 Legislative Agenda this week as lawmakers prepare for a return to the capitol for the new legislative season.

Set to serve as a guide to aid in Missouri’s economic recovery amid COVID-19, the agenda gathered input from more than 500 CEOs and top business leaders from across the state.

Their responses show that the pandemic has left employers increasingly pessimistic about the state’s business climate. Likewise, businesses enter 2021 expecting to invest less and hire fewer workers than a year ago.

The Missouri Chamber is urging lawmakers to focus on changing this trajectory by passing the reforms included in the 2021 Legislative Agenda, with a special focus on three critical needs:

  1. Stopping the threat of COVID-19 litigation, which is a major new concern for employers.
  2. Fixing Missouri’s crumbling transportation infrastructure, which employers increasingly view as a critical issue.
  3. Enhancing the state’s ability to train and attract a workforce that empowers growth.

Since March, more than 1,000 COVID-19 lawsuits have been filed against employers across the nation. In response, many states — including all but one of Missouri’s neighboring states — have enacted some form of protection against lawsuits.

Meanwhile, Missouri employers remain completely exposed. Nearly 800 employers and individual Missourians have signed a letter calling for action. The Missouri Chamber is urging lawmakers to immediately pass emergency legislation to address this problem.

While COVID-19 litigation is a new concern for employers, the state’s transportation system remains an issue. Workforce also remains a major concern for the state’s employers as many workers were displaced during the pandemic.

“We need to do everything we can to help Missouri workers get back on the job as soon as possible,” said Daniel P. Mehan, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber. “For many Missourians, it’s clear that the best path forward involves training and learning new skills that will make them in- demand for the emerging economy. The business community needs state leaders to continue to support all efforts to enhance our workforce and enable Missouri workers to help power our economic recovery.”