China hub decision delayed indefinitely
From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
Lobbyist Money Help  

China hub decision delayed indefinitely

Date: September 19, 2011
By: Rebecca Woolf
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
After a lengthy committee hearing, Missouri state House Representatives are saying they need more time before they can make a decision.
RunTime:  0:46
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Representatives listened to numerous witnesses voice their opinions for construction of a China trading hub at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

After more than six hours of testimonies and discussion, the representatives said their decision was delayed indefinitely.

St. Louis mayor Francis Slay testified in support of the bill.

He says Missouri must not lose the opportunity to reinvent it's relationship with the rest of the world and broaden trading opportunities.

Actuality:  MAYOR3.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "If some reasonable form of this does not pass, then my prediction is that we will lose the opportunity and the Chinese will go someplace else."

Opponents of the bill fear it will smother local business and hinder economic growth.

From the state Capitol, I'm Rebecca Woolf.

Intro: 
After more than six hours of discussion, Missouri state House Representatives say they still need more time.
RunTime:  0:46
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Representatives listened to the testimonies of numerous witnesses regarding the construction of a China trading hub at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

At the close of the meeting, representatives said their decision regarding the trading hub is delayed indefinitely.

St. Louis mayor Francis Slay testified in support of the bill.

He says there are risks to the bill, but the benefits could more than outweigh any potential risk.

Actuality:  SLAY4.WAV
Run Time:  00:12
Description: "The reward is that if this thing works and people start taking advantage of it, the rewards are endless in long-term, potentially."

Opponents of the bill say the government needs to stop handing out tax credits and picking winners and losers.

From the state Capitol, I'm Rebecca Woolf.

Intro: 
After six hours of listening to testimonies regarding the China trading hub at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, Missouri state House Representatives have delayed their decision indefinitely.
RunTime:  0:44
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Missouri residents took to the Capitol to voice their support or opposition for the China trading hub.

But after numerous testimonies, Representatives say they still need more time before they can make a decision.

Glasgow resident Bob Wood says the risks of the bill are too high and will end up costing Missourians. 

He says tax credits don't work.

Actuality:  WOOD.WAV
Run Time:  00:16
Description: "You folks owe us a lot better explanataion on these tax credits. You give them away like their candy, and it's not right for us. And you give them to people so you can choose who wins and loses."

Supporters of the bill say it will bring jobs to Missouri and broaden trading opportunities.

From the state Capitol, I'm Rebecca Woolf.