For years, members of the Majority Caucus have blamed organized labor for hindering economic growth in the state. Session after session, we’ve seen numerous bills filed to all but destroy the presence of organized labor in Missouri, from so-called “right to work” to “paycheck deception.” Supporters say this would make our region more appealing to companies wishing to relocate. Organized workers, they believe, are stifling our ability to attract new businesses.

It was ironic, then, that just last week, the Senate approved a measure containing a provision—that was never properly vetted—that prohibits American car manufacturers from selling directly to consumers. If approved, companies like Tesla, or Emerald Automotive in Hazelwood, would be barred from selling directly to citizens in Missouri. The legislators who approved the bill are the same ones who constantly tout the importance of bringing new companies to Missouri.

This is the same political party that espouses the importance of a free market. Yet, they overwhelmingly approve a measure limiting the right of legitimate companies to compete in the state. It points toward a conflicting ideology, where government regulations are bad for job creation, unless they protect special interests, in which case, they’re completely fine. But through some unfathomable logic, Missouri’s middle class workers are the real problem.  

We should be doing everything we can to create new jobs in this state, not wasting valuable hours attacking the straw-man argument of organized labor, or hamstringing companies from doing business in the state.

We need to create a long-term energy plan for our state, including looking at nuclear power and renewable energy sources. We need to provide broad educational opportunities to our citizens so they have the skills to compete for new jobs. We need to address the thousands of hard-working Missourians without access to healthcare.

There are dozens of proposals that could truly benefit our citizens and create the jobs we need. Those are the issues we need to be discussing.