AIM OFFICIALS TALK OF GOOD, BAD IN RECENT LEGISLATION

On the final day of the 1999 Missouri legislative session, a measure passed allowing small businesses to claim a tax credit for expenses used in complying with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

"The legislation could lead to a $5,000 savings for companies involved in making their building more accessible for the handicapped," said John Jones, vice president and director of industrial relations for Associated Industries of Missouri (AIM), which supported the legislation. "This new state credit is in addition to the existing federal credit for ADA-related expenditures."

Jones and Norb Plassmeyer, AIM vice president and director of environmental affairs, appeared at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's First Friday session Friday to discuss the legislative session and AIM's efforts to halt the Sierra Club's suit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which could jeopardize federal highway funding for Missouri.

"The recent legislative session was a good one for small business," said Jones. "It resulted in some long-awaited tax relief for businesses, including some savings in the corporate franchise tax."

Another key bill was SB176, which could require state administrative agencies to better justify the many rules and regulations that increase the cost of doing business. Another bill would allow employers to share "reference information" with other employers without the fear of increased legal liability.

"This bill is rather vague, however," said Jones. "Business should use caution at this time."

AIM is a 1,500-member business and industry trade association headquartered in Jefferson City. Its purpose is representing its members before the General Assembly and state administrative agencies.

AIM, said Jones, is aggressively opposing the Clinton administration's attempt to increase employer taxes by requiring the payment of unemployment compensation funds to Family and Medical Leave Act. "This is not a good idea," he said.

Plassmeyer said AIM oppose the Sierra Club's suit against the EPA and St. Louis area for failure to comply with the federal Clean Air Act.

AIM supports a petition drive under way to urge the Sierra Club to drop its suit.

The suit could result in the loss of more than $600 million in federal highway funds to make the state's roads and bridges, said Plassmeyer.

"Right now, the suit concerns the St. Louis area, but it could lead to far-reaching effects for the rest of the state," he said.

Plassmeyer told chamber members environmental groups want the EPA to hold up federal highway funding for Missouri because of air pollution problems in the St. Louis region.

Sierra Club officials say the suit seeks to withhold highway funds from the St. Louis area only until a plan is in place to address the air pollution problems in St. Louis.

Plassmeyer is hopeful the petitions -- he wants to see more than 10,000 of them -- will make the Sierra Club withdraw its suit.