Politics & Government
Rep. Tim Jones Honored by St. Louis RCGA for Improving Missouri’s Business Climate
House Majority Floor Leader Tim Jones, R-Eureka, was honored recently by the area's leading economic development organization for his leadership on issues critical to improving Missouri's business climate.
resident and Missouri Rep. Tim Jones received the Lewis and Clark Statesman Award from the St. Louis RCGA during a ceremony on Aug. 20. He was recognized for his efforts to enact employment law and workers’ compensation reform, as well as other economic development measures during the 2012 legislative session.
“We had a productive session that saw some important steps forward for our business community,” stated Jones in an announcement about the award. “While ensuring continued protections for employees in the workplace, we were able to close dangerous co-employee liability loopholes that threatened to bankrupt Missouri employers. At the same time, the governor stood in the way of policy reforms that would have addressed other issues threatening our small business community."
He said these are issues will continued to be worked on in the coming session.
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Jones stated Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed bills that would have moved occupational disease cases back to Missouri’s workers’ compensation system and that would have changed the state’s workplace discrimination laws to be more in line with federal standards. "Both bills received the backing of all of Missouri’s business groups," he said.
Jones also sponsored legislation to create the Missouri Angel Investment Act to support new high-tech companies and jobs. The bill received House approval, but stalled in the Senate.
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“I am proud of what we were able to accomplish, but we still have a long list of issues that must be addressed if we are going to create a climate that is conducive to business and job growth,” said Jones. “I look forward to working with Missouri’s job creators who share my commitment to fostering an environment where businesses can thrive and Missourians can obtain good-paying, family-supporting jobs.”
The RCGA presents the Lewis and Clark Statesman Award annually to lawmakers who have demonstrated leadership and sustained effort in the area of economic development.
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