DRISKILL WILL HEAD COMMERCE COMMITTEE

JEFFERSON CITY - As the new chairman of the Commerce Committee of the Missouri House, Rep. Joe Driskill, D-Doniphan, says he is hoping to move the committee in a new direction.

The first priority of the fifth term lawmaker will be to open up a dialogue between groups representing business, industry, and labor to discuss ways to create jobs in the state and improve the overall economic outlook of Missouri.

"My goal this year is to start a statewide dialogue on how to make the economy of this state better," declared Driskill. "I intend for us to be the committee that looks out for the state of the economy in Missouri."

While the appropriations and budget committees look at how to spend tax dollars generated in the state, the Commerce Committee must examine ways to improve the state's overall economy and job situation so that there is additional revenue through economic growth.

The Commerce Committee is considered one of the most important committees in the House and often deals with major legislation involving business and economic development.

House Speaker Bob Griffin named Driskill to the post last week. For the last 10 years, Rep. Jim Barnes, D-Raytown, has chaired the commerce panel, but gave it up after being elected speaker pro tem of the House.

Taking over the committee after 10 years of leadership by Barnes, Driskill said he sees this as a good opportunity to review the role of the committee and take a new approach.

Serving on the Commerce Committee from Southeast Missouri are Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, and Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett.

Driskill has called an organizational meeting for Wednesday night when he will ask representatives of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, State Labor Council, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Department of Economic Development, and Associated Industries of Missouri to give the committee an overview of the state's economy.

"We want them to tell us what they think about the economy of our state, the status of economic development efforts, and to explain what is necessary to improve the climate for jobs in our state," explained Driskill.

During his tenure in the General Assembly, Driskill has handled several pieces of legislation dealing with rural economic development and job training.

Two of the industries hardest hit by the national recession are the auto and defense industries, which have a major presence in Missouri, noted Driskill. Because of layoffs and cutbacks in those areas, Driskill said he believes the recession will last longer in Missouri than in many other states.

Continued layoffs at McDonnell-Douglas in St. Louis and plans to close Chrysler plants in the St. Louis area "will run through the economy to an extent that we have not seen it before," declared Driskill.

Even though those companies are based in the St. Louis area, many of the employees who are laid off come from a wide radius and so it will impact the whole state.

Retraining programs for workers will become even more important to get them back into the work force, he stressed.

The committee will be keeping in close touch with Tom Daschle, director of the Division of Employment Security, to monitor unemployment in the state.

Driskill does not anticipate any earth-shattering legislation from the Commerce Committee this year, because bills that deal with economic development or job training cost money and state funds are very limited.

That will increase the need for a more innovative approach in economic development and less reliance on state and federal resources.

Community Development Block Grants, which consists of federal funds administered by the state, are being cutback and in recent years have been used primarily for water and sewer projects to help recruit industry.

Enterprise zones have been widely used, but has caused some problems for school districts who lose revenue because of them. Legislation to limit the zones may be given serious consideration this year.

One alternative approach, noted Driskill, might be for the state to encourage the formation of venture capital companies.

Driskill said it is possible the recession could become an asset, because it provides a good reason for business and labor to cooperate and for representatives from various groups to come together and discuss new ideas that might work.

He is hoping Wednesday's presentations will start a dialogue that will accomplish improved cooperation.