EMERSON IS UNDECIDED ABOUT NAFTA

U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson said Friday he is undecided whether to support the controversial North American Free Trade Agreement, but said he planned to focus on the issue over the next few weeks.

"I believe before Congress adjourns this fall we will come to grips with NAFTA, but we have not gotten there yet," said Emerson in remarks to the Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee.

With European countries already trading as a bloc, and countries along the Pacific rim planning to do the same thing, Emerson said there could be some merit to having the United States working closer with Canada and Mexico over the long run.

Said Emerson: "I have really not decided how to vote, but I have a feeling that a `no' vote may be a vote for the decade, but a `yes' vote may be a vote for the century."

Emerson also told the chamber members that he joined legal actions to prevent retroactive taxes; warned that Congress needs to be careful with changes it makes in the nation's health care system; and talked about relief for victims of flooding.

Emerson also discussed the annual farm tour he had completed the day before. Congress has been in recess since early August and will return to work on Wednesday.

The congressman said trade will be increasingly important in future years.

He pointed out that agriculture is generally in favor of NAFTA, except for the cotton industry.

The controversial part of the treaty is with Mexico; Emerson noted many fear that American jobs will be lost as factories relocate to that country where labor is much cheaper and environmental laws are lax.

But Emerson pointed out the United States could benefit from a stronger Mexico economically because the country want to buy American goods. An impoverished Mexico is also the reason why illegal immigrants are coming into the country, causing major problems in border states.

"Improving the standard of living in Mexico is the ultimate cure for the illegal alien problems and the societal problems it is causing in parts of our country," said the congressman.

Discussing President Clinton's budget plan, which includes retroactive taxes to Jan. 1, Emerson said he and many others in Congress believe that the constitution prohibits retroactive taxes, just as it prohibits retroactive laws.

"I am part of a group trying to amend the constitution to prohibit retroactive taxes, and I have also joined in a legal challenge," explained Emerson. The congressman promised that he "will join every effort that comes along to repeal it."

In dealing with the health care bill, Emerson stressed that one of the most important components of the plan needs to address access to care.

Said Emerson: "I don't think Congress will be able to do much more this year than commence the debate ... Mrs. Clinton's proposal will be the basic document we will work from."

Emerson added that because the current health care system in the United States is the "best in the world" and the industry represents 10 percent of the nation's gross national product, any changes that are made need to be carefully done.

Regardless of the final plan that is approved, Emerson stressed he is strongly opposed to any system that will create a new federal bureaucracy to administer the health care system.

Discussing relief efforts related to recent flooding, Emerson said it is appropriate that the federal government pay a large share of the costs because the Mississippi River and all of its tributaries include a large portion of the country.

He pointed out that the river flows through or draws water from 28 states and two Canadian provinces, and that 40 percent of the country drains into the Mississippi.

"The river is a national resource and a national treasure; when it causes problems, it is a national problem," said Emerson.

One of the problems in designing flood control systems is that the Mississippi River has never been looked at as one piece, noted Emerson.

Emerson said his farm tour last week was successful and provided a lot of information about agriculture in the 26 counties of the 8th District. One of the stops included the Fruit Experiment Station in Mountain Grove, where one focus of research is developing better grapes to make better wine.

He pointed out that grapes are a big business in Missouri and that of the 25 wineries in the state, most of them are in the 8th District.

The wood products industry is also important in Missouri, representing a $2 billion industry. Emerson observed that Missouri has 1.3 million acres of forest land, with 1 million of those in this congressional district.

Emerson also pointed out that forest land is growing in the nation, increasing 50 percent in the last 50 years. "The idea that our forests are being depleted is all wrong," he said. "The fact is, they are flourishing because they have been so well managed the last 50 years."

Another point about forests, Emerson made, is that there is almost no waste with Missouri forest products, ranging from pallets, furniture and hardwood floors to whiskey barrels and liquid smoke.

Forests also provide recreational opportunities, such as the Greer Spring tract, which was recently acquired and preserved through legislation pushed by Emerson. He described the Greer Spring area as "the missing link in the Ozark Scenic Riverways ... it is a magnificent site a natural treasure."