Springfield Business Journal_2020-11-02

40 · SBJ.NET NOV. 2-8, 2020 FROM THE COVER 417.865.8701 • @BKD_CRE Trusted advice in uncertain times. The COVID-19 outbreak is an evolving crisis, and we want to keep construction companies up to speed on the latest tax and accounting updates to help you navigate the economic effects. Visit our COVID-19 Resource Center at bkd.com/covid-19 for relevant news, changing guidelines, and new regulations. Everyone needs a trusted advisor. Who’s yours? W h o ’ s W i n b u s i n e s s while Springfield Mayor Ken McClure wrote a letter to Parson asking for a state- wide masking mandate, Parson is against the idea. “Everybody needs to do their social dis- tancing, the 15 minutes, the mask, keep- ing your hands clean,” said Parson, who favors personal responsibility over man- dates. “But to really prevent the virus, it’s all three.” In addition, Parson said he would not require everyone to get a vaccine, once it is available. “Do we really want one person in the state of Missouri to say that every man, every woman, every child has to take a vaccine?” Parson said. “I would never ask a parent to put something in their chil- dren’s body without their saying. I don’t think any elected official should use their powers to do that.” But Galloway said a reset is needed when it comes to the strategy to fight the virus. Hospitalizations and COVID-19 cases are on the rise, she said. According to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department recovery dashboard, there has been 9,656 COVID-19 cases and 141 deaths as of Oct. 28. In agreement with McClure, she would require Missourians to wear masks. “It’s a science-backed way, data-backed way to contain part of the virus,” Gallo- way said. Her strategy to stop the spread of the virus is based on containment, miti- gation and science, she said. The candi- dates agree testing is key to fighting the virus, but Gal- loway would like to see more universal rapid testing and a stronger contact trac- ing program. She said the virus does not respect county lines. “We need a leader who acts with ur- gency to get this under control so we can get our lives back,” said Galloway. “Fight- ing this virus should not be shuttering businesses, closed schools and loss of in- come.” Workforce and education Between income tax cuts, funding for K-12 education and investment in com- munity colleges and training facilities, Parson said he wants to continue the work his office is already doing which is workforce development – a key area of emphasis for his administration. Over the summer, in Parson’s virtual State of the State address held at Missouri State University, he cited several recent economic development wins for the state – and two were projects in Marshfield. An $8 million expansion of Armstrong World Industries Inc. adding 130 jobs and a $4.9 million investment in the Tyler Pipe Co. plant to bring on another 75 jobs, accord- ing to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. While the pan- demic resulted in roughly 365,000 people in the state of Missouri to be on unemployment at one point, Parson said he is proud of the way the state is progressing. “As of today, over 62%, well over 200,000 of those people are back in the workforce,” said Parson. Galloway said her first step regarding workforce development and education would be to get the pandemic under con- trol. She said state and local budgets are hurting due to its effects. “The governor cut about $250 million from K-12 education this year,” said Gal- loway, “and $100 million from higher education.” The governor later issued nearly $100 million for K-12 and higher education, through a mix of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds and state general revenue. Parson cited better than expected unemployment numbers and state revenue collections. Galloway said the unemployment rate is low right now – 4.9% in September, the most recent month available – because people have given up on looking for work. According to the Missouri Department of Labor, there were 8,709 unemploy- ment claims for the week ending on Oct. 17 compared with 101,722 claims the week ending April 11. “Almost 70,000 Missourians have left the labor mar- ket,” said Galloway. “That is unaccept- able.” After containing the virus, she would like to help small businesses. She has pro- posed to create an economic relief advi- sory council. The council would consist of small businesses, labor organizations and big businesses. Infrastructure Another key area of emphasis for the Parson administration has been infra- structure. He said he wants to continue the on- going work, such as designating money toward expanding the river ports in the state. Parson said there is more infra- structure work that needs to be done, but he is pleased with what has been com- pleted. “We did a bonding bill last year, over 250 new bridges across the state of Mis- souri,” said Parson. Galloway said there are significant in- frastructure needs statewide. She also cited government bonds as a solution. Additionally, she’d like to cap the time- ly filing discount businesses receive on taxes. In an opin- ion piece published in the Springfield News-Leader, Gal- loway wrote that businesses in Mis- souri received bo- nuses amounting to over $120 mil- lion the last two fiscal years just for turning in the sales taxes they owed on time. She calls it “Missouri’s Big Business Bonus.” In Galloway’s interview with SBJ, she said capping the discount would protect small business and allocate the money for state needs. “If you talk to the average taxpayer, they have no idea. They would think if you paid a dollar in sales tax, then the dollar in sales tax would be going right back into the government to the things they had voted on – for infrastructure, for public safety, etc.,” Galloway said. “But instead, it’s a giveaway that provides no benefit to them. I would like to close those loopholes.” Governor: Candidates differ on statewide masking mandate for COVID-19 Continued from page 1 Almost 70,000 Missourians have left the labor market. That is unacceptable.” —Nicole Galloway, Missouri auditor We took the fatality rate from almost 8% down to 1.4%; makes a real difference in people’s lives. We went from testing 2,000 a week in this state to 125,000.” —Mike Parson, Missouri governor