^^ there's a lot of truth to that, I think. I also think that if we weren't trying to lure the Godless Chinese, this would easily pass. There are too many people with a Cold War era mentality, people who misunderstand the initiative, and people with a myopic view of the US-China bilateral trade relationship. Beyond what's been repeated on this board ad nauseum about the nature of the bill, the current trade deficit with China is not going to last forever. The Renminbi will appreciate in value, and we'll eventually become more equal trading partners. It's important to get your foot in the door and build some guanxi now.
In the meantime, this is how Los Angeles, California is dealing with Asia:
Mayor Villaraigosa of Los Angeles on twitter today:
"Discussing the importance of trade w/Asia for local economy (our top 5 trade partners are China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan & Thailand)."
"As economies like that of China continue to expand at an unprecedented pace so do exports from LA’s airports & ports @LAX_Official @PortofLA "
We're falling further behind, not by the hour but by the minute.
Mayor Villaraigosa of Los Angeles on twitter today:
"Discussing the importance of trade w/Asia for local economy (our top 5 trade partners are China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan & Thailand)."
"As economies like that of China continue to expand at an unprecedented pace so do exports from LA’s airports & ports @LAX_Official @PortofLA "
We're falling further behind, not by the hour but by the minute.
Fox2's Charles Jaco's tweet:
"If tax credits fail, Chinese set to abandon StL hub plan. Both Denver and Ohio set to pursue China hub deal. See on Fox 2 News, 530pm."
Does anyone have a clue about the chances of the $300 million being reintegrated into the bill?
If there is ever a time to play hardball, it's right now. I would be all over senator Crowell if I had access to him.
For those so inclined, here are the email addresses of the two senators who voted against the bill in committee:
Brian Nieves:
Brian.Nieves@senate.mo.gov
Luann Ridgeway:
luann.ridgeway@senate.mo.gov
Here is Jason Crowell's email:
jcrowell@ohkylaw.com
"If tax credits fail, Chinese set to abandon StL hub plan. Both Denver and Ohio set to pursue China hub deal. See on Fox 2 News, 530pm."
Does anyone have a clue about the chances of the $300 million being reintegrated into the bill?
If there is ever a time to play hardball, it's right now. I would be all over senator Crowell if I had access to him.
For those so inclined, here are the email addresses of the two senators who voted against the bill in committee:
Brian Nieves:
Brian.Nieves@senate.mo.gov
Luann Ridgeway:
luann.ridgeway@senate.mo.gov
Here is Jason Crowell's email:
jcrowell@ohkylaw.com
- 2,932
^What has been introduced, the $60M as opposed to the $360M, is a new piece of legislation entirely that the Senate has put together independent of the House of Representatives. That body still is to debate the merits of the original $360M legislation.
By the end of tomorrow, the MO House could come forward with something completely different than the Senate. While they may buckle and openly support the $60M rewrite, they more likely will pass the $360M version. From here, we could anticipate a special leadership session between the Senate and the House to seek a compromise, or full ratification of either the $60M or $360M bills now before them.
Should a joint leadership piece of legislation emerge, well, that's when the sparks will truly fly... anyone's game here.
Q: Does anyone have hard info on possible competition from either CO or OH? I don't doubt that competition exists, but I'm curious as to how far these other states may have progressed, and what the likelihood may be for their success.
Main Question:
Would Beijing continue with a $60M deal? Or would this kill it?
WRITE YOUR LEGISLATORS! LET THEM KNOW THEIR SUPPORT IS ON THE LINE! TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!
By the end of tomorrow, the MO House could come forward with something completely different than the Senate. While they may buckle and openly support the $60M rewrite, they more likely will pass the $360M version. From here, we could anticipate a special leadership session between the Senate and the House to seek a compromise, or full ratification of either the $60M or $360M bills now before them.
Should a joint leadership piece of legislation emerge, well, that's when the sparks will truly fly... anyone's game here.
Q: Does anyone have hard info on possible competition from either CO or OH? I don't doubt that competition exists, but I'm curious as to how far these other states may have progressed, and what the likelihood may be for their success.
Main Question:
Would Beijing continue with a $60M deal? Or would this kill it?
WRITE YOUR LEGISLATORS! LET THEM KNOW THEIR SUPPORT IS ON THE LINE! TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!
As far as contacting legislators, I think it's more important that they simply receive a lot of emails. Other than saying that you disapprove of their opposition to the bill, the content of the emails isn't really important. They probably get a ton of emails, so they likely won't read much into them. Time would probably be better spent sending emails to more senators rather than crafting a persuasive message. Most people who write them are probably barely literate anyway. Just my thought.
Has anybody seen any tidbits on what Deb Peterson stated in her PD column posted 9/6? It would sure be nice to see something reported or at least get a formal confirmation of an agreement and the Sept 23rd landing while things are being debated.
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/colu ... f6878.html
Tidbits from the St. Louis Police Foundation luncheon
And Rainford said he was trying not to get too anxious about flying to China on Sunday and back on Wednesday. He said the group that's going will leave Shanghai to return to St. Louis at 6 p.m. on Wednesday and arrive at Lambert at 7:30 p.m. Can you say jet lag? He said the crew incudes Ed Monser, COO of Emerson; Steve Johnson with the RCGA and the hub attorney, Steve Stone. Plans are to finalize details of the routes between Shanghai, Beijing and St. Louis
Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/colu ... z1Xsnz7rIM
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/colu ... f6878.html
Tidbits from the St. Louis Police Foundation luncheon
And Rainford said he was trying not to get too anxious about flying to China on Sunday and back on Wednesday. He said the group that's going will leave Shanghai to return to St. Louis at 6 p.m. on Wednesday and arrive at Lambert at 7:30 p.m. Can you say jet lag? He said the crew incudes Ed Monser, COO of Emerson; Steve Johnson with the RCGA and the hub attorney, Steve Stone. Plans are to finalize details of the routes between Shanghai, Beijing and St. Louis
Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/colu ... z1Xsnz7rIM
- 2,932
P-D Update: Scaled-back bill passes MO Senate
Source: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt ... f6878.html
Part of it was to resurrect the tax credits to elderly & handicapped renters.
Senator Chuck Purgason (R-Caulfield), who has been in favor of the legislation for a good while, says that the elimination of the $300M allowance for warehouse construction refocuses the legislation (and all those who vote for or against it) on efforts that create jobs, i.e. long-term employment vs. project-based work. Well, yes. He also referenced that the potential exists for public monies for warehouses through the MO Department of Economic Development. Yeah, that's true.
I'm still in favor of the full $360M package, or anything that'll establish a Hub. We'll see what the House says tomorrow...
Source: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt ... f6878.html
Part of it was to resurrect the tax credits to elderly & handicapped renters.
Senator Chuck Purgason (R-Caulfield), who has been in favor of the legislation for a good while, says that the elimination of the $300M allowance for warehouse construction refocuses the legislation (and all those who vote for or against it) on efforts that create jobs, i.e. long-term employment vs. project-based work. Well, yes. He also referenced that the potential exists for public monies for warehouses through the MO Department of Economic Development. Yeah, that's true.
I'm still in favor of the full $360M package, or anything that'll establish a Hub. We'll see what the House says tomorrow...
The latest from the Beacon:
http://205.186.131.189/voices/blogs/pol ... with-house
Slay speaking about the $300 million:
"In the end, if a bill is passed that's called Aerotropolis, but it doesn't provide the necessary incentives to make this work, then what's going to happen is we're not going to have an international trade hub in Missouri. And there are going to be a lot of jobs and economic opportunity that are going to be lost."
also:
"Slay indicated that delays in passing the China hub tax credits would make it more likely that the Chinese would look elsewhere for their cargo hubs."
http://205.186.131.189/voices/blogs/pol ... with-house
Slay speaking about the $300 million:
"In the end, if a bill is passed that's called Aerotropolis, but it doesn't provide the necessary incentives to make this work, then what's going to happen is we're not going to have an international trade hub in Missouri. And there are going to be a lot of jobs and economic opportunity that are going to be lost."
also:
"Slay indicated that delays in passing the China hub tax credits would make it more likely that the Chinese would look elsewhere for their cargo hubs."
Just so I understand, the new bill will now only include a $60M incentive for freight forwarders?
Pretty underwhelming. I'm still confused as to why a guy from Dexter is championing this bill.
Pretty underwhelming. I'm still confused as to why a guy from Dexter is championing this bill.
The senate bill now only includes the $60 million. The house is going to draft their version in the coming days. It looks like the house will push back a bit, which means that there will ultimately probably have to be some kind of compromise.ttricamo wrote:Just so I understand, the new bill will now only include a $60M incentive for freight forwarders?
Pretty underwhelming. I'm still confused as to why a guy from Dexter is championing this bill.
As for the guy from Dexter, the bill includes incentives to ship perishable items, so I'm guessing he wants to boost agricultural exports in his district. It might also be because he isn't an idiot.
Word up, homey.Colby wrote:It might also be because he isn't an idiot.
I agree there will need to be a compromise. It seems as though they've done quite a bit of trimming from the original $360M figure.
The Senate version as I understand would make any warehouse development eligible under a new tax credit that will also roll in several other tax credits into one economic development credit. I'm speculating, but the compromise I see coming is strengthening of the economic development credit with specific language and maybe a percentage of funds set aside to the China Hub. This is a work around that I think will work as you need to show a means how you can get some infrastructure started.ttricamo wrote:Word up, homey.Colby wrote:It might also be because he isn't an idiot.
I agree there will need to be a compromise. It seems as though they've done quite a bit of trimming from the original $360M figure.
The key to me is getting started. The next legislative session is around the corner and securing three flights a week by then and that they are viable will provide a basis for future legislation.
Another thought, which I doubt is even on the Governor's mind and most unlikely, is to reinstate money that was authorized on a previous budget for a direct investment into a Lambert Cargo Facility. I believe the intended target was the old McDonald Douglas Facility. Their might be a way to make this work on the Gov Nixon's part if a formal announcement on the 23rd cargo flight/agreement made. However, since a new budget was made I believe the state reps would have to appropriate the funds again.
- 2,932
For all those who would like to let their MO Senators know what they, the constituents being represented, think about the legislation, below is a partial contact list. It's partial in that many State Senators don't list their emails but do have a webmail service, found on their Senate webpage, that forwards to them all emails received.
List of all MO Senators, with links to their home pages (each of which has webmail):
http://www.senate.mo.gov/11info/senalpha.htm
Dan Brown (R-Rolla) Dan.Brown@senate.mo.gov
Victor Callahan (D-Independence) No Email
Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-University City) No Email
Jason Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau) No Email
Jane Cunningham (R-Chesterfield) No Email
S. Kiki Curls (D-Kansas City) No Email
Tom Dempsey (R-St. Peters) Tom.Dempsey@senate.mo.gov
Bob Dixon (R-Springfield) No Email
Kevin Engler (R-Farmington) No Email
Jack Goodman (R-Mt. Vernon) No Email
Timothy P. Green (D-St. Louis) timothy_green@senate.mo.gov
Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City) No Email
Joseph Keaveny (D-St. Louis) No Email
Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City) No Email
Will Kraus (R-Lee’s Summit) No Email
Brad Lager (R-Savannah) No Email
John T. Lamping (R-STL County) No Email
Jim Lembke (R-STL County) No Email
Robert Mayer (R-Dexter) Rob.Mayer@senate.mo.gov
Ryan McKenna (D-Crystal City) No Email
Brian Munzlinger (R-La Belle) No Email
Brian Nieves (R-Washington) Brian.Nieves@senate.mo.gov
Mike Parson (R-Bolivar) mparson@senate.mo.gov
David Pearce (R-Warrensburg) No Email
Chuck Purgason (R-Caulfield) chuck.purgason@senate.mo.gov ********Leader of current legislation
Ron Richard (R-Joplin) No Email
Luann Ridgeway (R-Liberty) No Email
Scott Rupp (R-O’Fallon) No Email
Rob Schaaf (R-St. Joseph) No Email
Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale) eschmitt@senate.mo.gov **************Bill Champion
Bill Stouffer (R-Marshall) bstouffer@senate.mo.gov
Jay Wasson (R-Nixa) No Email
Robin Wright-Jones (D-St. Louis) No Email
I'd recommend polite letters to whomever you can reach, both those listed here and through their own webmail services. PLEASE be polite, respectful of the office they serve, and very strongly for the China Hub legislation. If possible, be non-partisan.
Perhaps reference back to how you're part of a whole community of people concerned with the vitality of Saint Louis, and Missouri, who are all deeply aware of MO economic development and politics. See if that'll sway some influence...
List of all MO Senators, with links to their home pages (each of which has webmail):
http://www.senate.mo.gov/11info/senalpha.htm
Dan Brown (R-Rolla) Dan.Brown@senate.mo.gov
Victor Callahan (D-Independence) No Email
Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-University City) No Email
Jason Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau) No Email
Jane Cunningham (R-Chesterfield) No Email
S. Kiki Curls (D-Kansas City) No Email
Tom Dempsey (R-St. Peters) Tom.Dempsey@senate.mo.gov
Bob Dixon (R-Springfield) No Email
Kevin Engler (R-Farmington) No Email
Jack Goodman (R-Mt. Vernon) No Email
Timothy P. Green (D-St. Louis) timothy_green@senate.mo.gov
Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City) No Email
Joseph Keaveny (D-St. Louis) No Email
Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City) No Email
Will Kraus (R-Lee’s Summit) No Email
Brad Lager (R-Savannah) No Email
John T. Lamping (R-STL County) No Email
Jim Lembke (R-STL County) No Email
Robert Mayer (R-Dexter) Rob.Mayer@senate.mo.gov
Ryan McKenna (D-Crystal City) No Email
Brian Munzlinger (R-La Belle) No Email
Brian Nieves (R-Washington) Brian.Nieves@senate.mo.gov
Mike Parson (R-Bolivar) mparson@senate.mo.gov
David Pearce (R-Warrensburg) No Email
Chuck Purgason (R-Caulfield) chuck.purgason@senate.mo.gov ********Leader of current legislation
Ron Richard (R-Joplin) No Email
Luann Ridgeway (R-Liberty) No Email
Scott Rupp (R-O’Fallon) No Email
Rob Schaaf (R-St. Joseph) No Email
Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale) eschmitt@senate.mo.gov **************Bill Champion
Bill Stouffer (R-Marshall) bstouffer@senate.mo.gov
Jay Wasson (R-Nixa) No Email
Robin Wright-Jones (D-St. Louis) No Email
I'd recommend polite letters to whomever you can reach, both those listed here and through their own webmail services. PLEASE be polite, respectful of the office they serve, and very strongly for the China Hub legislation. If possible, be non-partisan.
Perhaps reference back to how you're part of a whole community of people concerned with the vitality of Saint Louis, and Missouri, who are all deeply aware of MO economic development and politics. See if that'll sway some influence...
Opponents are now trying to argue that the bill is unconstitutional (hint: it would easily survive a constitutional challenge). The SMI is echoing the charge, so I responded on their website:
http://www.showmedaily.org/2011/09/the- ... legal.html
Good work on the list, gc. Here are a few more who opposed the bill:
Luann Ridgeway:
luann.ridgeway@senate.mo.gov
Jason Crowelll:
jcrowell@ohkylaw.com
The two locals who opposed the bill:
Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield; Jim Lembke, R-Lemay
I'm having a hard time finding the names of all 8 senators who voted against the bill, and I don't have time to continue looking. Anyone else have a list?
This article quotes the mayor of Denver as expressing his intention to lure the Chinese to establish the hub at Denver International. It also mentions that cities in Ohio have been working toward stealing our thunder ever since we got the ball rolling. Conceding our lead to these rival cities is unacceptable.
http://www.kplr11.com/news/kplr-china-h ... 5579.story
http://www.showmedaily.org/2011/09/the- ... legal.html
Good work on the list, gc. Here are a few more who opposed the bill:
Luann Ridgeway:
luann.ridgeway@senate.mo.gov
Jason Crowelll:
jcrowell@ohkylaw.com
The two locals who opposed the bill:
Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield; Jim Lembke, R-Lemay
I'm having a hard time finding the names of all 8 senators who voted against the bill, and I don't have time to continue looking. Anyone else have a list?
This article quotes the mayor of Denver as expressing his intention to lure the Chinese to establish the hub at Denver International. It also mentions that cities in Ohio have been working toward stealing our thunder ever since we got the ball rolling. Conceding our lead to these rival cities is unacceptable.
http://www.kplr11.com/news/kplr-china-h ... 5579.story
- 3,441
Wow. The Channel 11 article is pretty sobering. If Missouri doesn't do this, there are so many cities in Ohio, as well as Denver that are just waiting like wolves for the Missouri legislature to punt, so they can take the ball and run.
In 20 years, we may look back at this the way we look (rightly or wrongly) at a delayed railroad bridge across the Mississippi River, which opened the door for Chicago to lure the railroads there. Or the decision by Missouri Congressmen to kill the decision by the FAA to build a new St. Louis hub airport at Columbia, Illinois? The decision had been made to move the airport to Columbia Illinois under Gerald Ford, but when Jimmy Carter was elected, Tom Eagleton and Congressman John Young got them to kill the Columbia airport and keep the land-locked Lambert Field.
Let's remember the names of these legislator if they kill this thing. Their names may go down in St. Louis and Missouri lore as the individuals with the lack of vision that made Columbus, Ohio the jewel of the Midwest, instead of St. Louis. Its like when Birmingham chose not to build a hub airport, and Atlanta did instead. The rest is history. It would be shame if Denver or Columbus are the cities that cash in on all the time an money St. Louis and Missouri have spent on this.
In 20 years, we may look back at this the way we look (rightly or wrongly) at a delayed railroad bridge across the Mississippi River, which opened the door for Chicago to lure the railroads there. Or the decision by Missouri Congressmen to kill the decision by the FAA to build a new St. Louis hub airport at Columbia, Illinois? The decision had been made to move the airport to Columbia Illinois under Gerald Ford, but when Jimmy Carter was elected, Tom Eagleton and Congressman John Young got them to kill the Columbia airport and keep the land-locked Lambert Field.
Let's remember the names of these legislator if they kill this thing. Their names may go down in St. Louis and Missouri lore as the individuals with the lack of vision that made Columbus, Ohio the jewel of the Midwest, instead of St. Louis. Its like when Birmingham chose not to build a hub airport, and Atlanta did instead. The rest is history. It would be shame if Denver or Columbus are the cities that cash in on all the time an money St. Louis and Missouri have spent on this.
There is no way in hell the political leadership should end this session without the $360 million China Hub intact. All the years and money spent by public and private interests going to China, meeting with officials, and studying routes. This whole special session has turned into a hurt St. Louis by any means session. Missouri may be the worst state for economic development in the States. One can only wonder how St. Louis managed to grow to the size it is now with Missouri's blatant anti-urban agenda. Just imagine if we had a state that gave us half of what we needed. St. Louis would be one of the largest cities in the country.
Senator Ridgeway, one of the newer opposition figures, has someone filtering messages sent to her senate email address. I did a quick google search and was able to find her work email. Here it is: ridgeway@earthlink.net
I also think it's a good idea to be relatively polite
I also think it's a good idea to be relatively polite
- 641
I just sent out a bunch of emails and I wasn't very polite. Also trying to determine, if this doesn't go through, where to move my family and get out of this backwards-asz state of Missour-ugh.
It looks like 1 of China’s 6 consul-generals in the US is in Jeff City pleading with legislators. When one of China's most powerful diplomats comes to negotiate, it’s clear this is far from a speculative venture. Maybe they want the Chinese to temporarily replace the portrait of Mao that overlooks Tiananmen Square with a painting of the Arch. I suppose that would be a stronger showing of interest.
http://www.stlbeacon.org/voices/blogs/p ... n-for-week
http://www.stlbeacon.org/voices/blogs/p ... n-for-week
I am not much of a political activist, or forum poster for that matter, but has there been any thought of getting a group together to go to Jeff City to show support for the bill? If this fails it will be the biggest disappointment in decades.
NextSTL meetup at the capital Monday? Ha! That would be something.
NextSTL meetup at the capital Monday? Ha! That would be something.
Honestly, I'm down. I live in Columbia, which is only 20-30 minutes from Jeff City, so I'd make the trip if this gathers some momentum. Too bad we (i'm guessing mostly) aren't a bunch of older retirees who have little else to do. There was apparently a group of pissed off octogenarian tea-baggers up there last week protesting the bill.
- 11K
EDIT - looks like a plan to have a nextSTL editorial and a small delegation head to Jeff City next week may be taking shape. Stay tuned and please feel free to email me at alex at nextstl dot com.
Happy to have nextSTL associated with an effort to make our voices heard in Jeff City. It's not something I can get away from work/family for. Ideas? Even a dozen people would likely make the news and have an impact.
Happy to have nextSTL associated with an effort to make our voices heard in Jeff City. It's not something I can get away from work/family for. Ideas? Even a dozen people would likely make the news and have an impact.
- 641
i would make the drive...this is ridiculous that it's come to this
I'll go if we can get a dozen or so people together. I have class throughout the week, but it's not like I have one of those real jobs or anything.
- 11K
^Looks like a group is planning to go on Wednesday - nothing set yet though. We hope to have more details later today!
Please email me at alex at nextstl dot com to get on the email list. We'll organize from there. We have some people with experience in Jeff City, so this should be a solid effort.
Please email me at alex at nextstl dot com to get on the email list. We'll organize from there. We have some people with experience in Jeff City, so this should be a solid effort.