SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 48
WHEREAS, there are a total of 221,200 Missouri jobs that are dependant on the automobile industry; and
WHEREAS, these Missouri jobs are important to communities in terms of employment opportunities and training, supporting Missouri tax bases and education systems; and
WHEREAS, the state of Missouri produced 1,221,109 cars and light trucks in 1999; and
WHEREAS, in 2000, 52% of new vehicles registered in Missouri were light trucks; and
WHEREAS, residents of Missouri rely heavily on light trucks to meet the needs of families, small businesses, farmers, ranchers, and tradesmen; and
WHEREAS, the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards particularly disadvantage manufacturers who offer a broad range of cars and trucks; and
WHEREAS, increases in CAFÉ standards will limit the supply of mid- and full-sized cars and trucks which will increase the price of those vehicles; and
WHEREAS, the truck segment is the growth segment in the industry, responsible for expansion and new jobs; and
WHEREAS, major increases in CAFÉ would restrict or eliminate some of the most popular Missouri cars and trucks, with the accompanying Missouri jobs; and
WHEREAS, all nine members of the Missouri United States Congressional Delegation voted against CAFÉ increases during the United States House of Representatives debate on House Resolution No. 4; and
WHEREAS, there are several proposals before the United States Senate to increase the standards for Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ):
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Missouri Senate, Ninety-first General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the members of the Missouri General Assembly oppose the increases in CAFÉ standards and any increase in CAFÉ; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Missouri Senate be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for every member of the Missouri Congressional Delegation.