Chamber Legislative Priorities
Since 1905, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce has been a non-profit, voluntary, member-supported organization of business, industrial and professional people who are dedicated to developing, promoting and maintaining a sound and healthy economic climate for Columbia.
The mission of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce is to lead our community, drive commerce in our region, and advance community and regional collaborations, thereby enhancing the quality of where we live, learn, work and play. One way to achieve this mission is by identifying what is most important to members and setting these items as priorities.
The following are legislative priorities Chamber members and staff will advocate during the coming year:
- Support legislation that would make Missouri more competitive in attracting and retaining high technology companies and jobs within the data center industry.
- Support economic development initiatives such as MOSIRA and proposals that increase awareness about high-need job areas such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics programs.
- Retain the University of Missouri (UM System) fiscal year 2012 core budget of $405.8 million. Support additional core funding of $127 million to support maintenance and repairs, record enrollment growth, Caring for Missourians and faculty compensation packages to mirror UM System’s peer institutions.
- Supports legislation to remove the prohibition of toll roads in the state of Missouri.
- Supports legislation that would allow Boone County to establish and participate in a regional airport authority.
- Support the extension of term limits to 16 years in either house or senate or 16 years total in the Missouri legislature.