Talent announces jobs plan at port

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- Senate candidate Jim Talent on Friday wrapped up a two-day, seven-county tour aimed at spreading the word about his Missouri First Jobs Initiative.

He released the six-point plan on Thursday at the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority in Scott City. The key components are:

Protect jobs and hold corporate executives accountable for ill-gotten gains.

Foster small business growth and increase jobs.

Make tax relief permanent.

Increase opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses.

Encourage value-added development.

Support increased national security, which means jobs for Missouri.

Talent said jobs will be one of his top priorities if he is elected. He handily won the Republican primary on Tuesday.

This week, the Missouri Department of Economic Development reported that the state has the highest job-loss rate in the nation, and 55,000 Missouri workers have lost their jobs over the last year.

Other stops on Talent's tour included Washington, Mineral Point, Farmington, Marble Hill, Ellington and Clubb.