Great Northwest organizers set 2016 legislative platform

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Civic leaders, businesspeople, and elected officeholders from Nodaway and 17 other northwest Missouri counties are preparing to attend this year’s Great Northwest Day at the Missouri Capitol Feb. 2-3.

Approximately 350 people from across the 18-county region are expected to make the trip to Jefferson City this year in an annual effort to lobby lawmakers and state officials with regard to a variety of uses affecting this part of the state.

Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jordyn Swalley, who will spearhead the Maryville and Nodaway County contingents, appeared before the Maryville City Council this week to formally request $1,500 in budgeted municipal funds used to help cover participation costs.

This year’s platform comprises four basic regional issues to which organizers have assigned no particular priority. They include:

• Economic Development, including efforts designed to support small businesses and entrepreneurs and provide funding for rural economic development programs and organizations. Related goals include new opportunities for customized training and incentives to encourage new investment.

• Transportation funding needed to maintain 5,263 miles of roadway under the authority of the Missouri Department of Transportation plus 11,373 miles of mostly gravel and dirt roads owned by county governments.

Great Northwest Days organizers are also voicing support for a sales tax increase on gasoline and diesel fuel that will boost available funding for road construction and maintenance.

• New money and programs intended to fund infrastructure improvements related to water and wastewater systems, storm sewers, streets, bridges, levees, and broadband Internet service.

Organizers will specifically ask lawmakers and other decision makers to continue Missouri levee matching funds and work for voter approval of a cellphone tax to fund 911 service.

• Increased state support for education, including capital improvements for public schools, vocational schools, colleges, and universities. Other education priorities, say Great Northwest participants, include fully funding the K-12 foundation formula, strong local control of public schools, expanded opportunities for early childhood education, and increased spending for higher education and post-secondary scholarships.

The foregoing priorities were arrived at following discussions by Great Northwest county coordinators and local steering committees.

While in Jefferson City, Great Northwest Day attendees are to be introduced on the floors of the Missouri House and Senate and will also participate in an evening event for legislators, department heads, and other ranking state officials.

For more information, or to register, email Swalley at [email protected] or go to www.greatnorthwestday.com.