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Giving Thanks for a Stronger State
State Representative David Day
District 148
State Capitol
201 West Capitol Ave. Room 201BA
Jefferson City, MO 65101-6806
Phone: (573) 751-1446
Fax: (573) 526-0761
The Week of: November 14, 2005
Giving Thanks For a Stronger State
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. The holiday brings with it images of food, family and football. It is also a time to count our many blessings and to be grateful for what we have been given. This Thanksgiving, Missouri has a lot to be thankful for.
Our state did not get off to such a great start in the 21st century. Our economy was hurting as jobs and businesses fled our borders. Our roads were crumbling underneath our feet. Our children and families were threatened by a flood of meth and meth-related crime, the outlook seemed bleak.
Thankfully, things have started to turn around. We reduced needless red-tape and stifling regulations, kept taxes low and in general, made Missouri a more business friendly state. This made Missouri more attractive to employers. The results speak for themselves.
Our unemployment rate is at its lowest level in four years. In August, Missouri’s employment increased at the fastest rate in the country. We were second in number of jobs created with 15,500 news jobs—trailing only California. Since the beginning of the year, we have created more than 38,000 news jobs in Missouri.
This trend is continuing. In September our economy climbed to its highest level in six months. Statistics used by experts to measure economic growth show that Missouri’s economy is continuing to expand and create jobs.
This new growth has led to more revenue for our state government. According to the state Office of Administration, this October, Missouri’s net general revenue was up 12% from the same time last year—a difference of around $55 million. Revenue from corporate income and franchise taxes were up 50% from last year. Sales and use tax revenue was up almost 2% from the previous year. This further shows that businesses are coming to Missouri and bringing new prosperity to our state.
Not a single dollar of this new revenue came from new taxes. Why? Because we didn’t pass a single dollar in new taxes last session. We put our faith in the market and the innovative spirit of Missourians. The proof is unmistakable. Missourians know better how to use their money than government ever could.
These new resources mean better services, like education, for all Missourians. One of the most important resources is our infrastructure: our highways, roads and bridges. MoDOT has used the money you gave it by passing Amendment 3 by implementing their Safer, Smoother Sooner plan. The plan is already underway, with more than 1,000 active work zones going. By the time it’s complete in 2007, the plan will have created more than 2,000 miles of new roads over 866 different projects.
MoDOT is also focusing heavily on accountability and making wise use of taxpayer dollars. They report that they have begun using a new concept for highway design that will save the state nearly $400 million dollars over the next five years.
These projects will help turn Missouri’s system of roads and bridges from a laughing stock into a model for the rest of the country to follow.
Finally, Missouri’s crime situation is also improving. Meth production is probably the leading threat to safety of our children, families and communities. In 2004, Missouri led the nation with nearly 2,800 meth related incidents. That was more than twice the incidents of Iowa, a state that had the second highest number of meth related incidents in the nation. We have passed aggressive legislation to crack down on this disease. It appears to be working.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 42.7% decrease in meth related incidents for September 2005 as compared with September 2004. August saw an even larger reduction, around 55%. As these numbers continue to improve, our families will be able to sleep better and safer at night.
Sometimes the media, especially on the national level, makes it seem like everything is going downhill, but the numbers clearly show Missouri is headed in the right direction. We are creating jobs at an amazing pace. These new jobs are bringing in more money for our state to put into the services our citizens need. Our roads are improving. Our battle on crime and meth is going well.
We have so much to be thankful for, both as a state and in our personal lives. I know Leasa, Savanna and I count the many friends we have made over the past year as one of the biggest blessings we have ever received. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. As always, please contact me if I can ever be of assistance. My office number is (573) 751-1446 and my e-mail address is david.day@house.mo.gov
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