Missouri Chamber supports Gov. Kehoe’s vision for securing Missouri’s future

Gov. Mike Kehoe delivered his first State of the State address on Jan. 28, 2025, with many of his priorities aligning with the business community’s top concerns: public safety, economic development, legal climate reform and child care.

“We thank Gov. Kehoe for his positive vision for our state. Many of his priorities echo what we hear from business leaders across the state,” said Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “Employers care about addressing Missouri’s rising crime rate, making Missouri a welcoming state for business investment, and increasing access to safe, affordable, high-quality child care.”

Child care is not just a working parents’ issue; it’s an economic issue. According to a recent report from United WE and the University of Missouri, there are nearly three times as many Missouri children aged 6 or under as there are child care slots.

That’s why the Missouri Chamber is supporting HB 269, sponsored by Rep. Brenda Shields, and SB 455, sponsored by Sen. Lincoln Hough, to address this problem through an innovative tax credit package which would increase the capacity of child care providers and help businesses offer child care benefits to support the retention and recruitment of employees. 

Several other Missouri Chamber priorities were highlighted in Gov. Kehoe’s State of the State address, including:

• Addressing rising crime by bolstering funding for law enforcement training;
• Promoting economic development by extending the Deal Closing Fund;
• Securing our position as a logistics hub by investing in rural road improvements;
• Strengthening Missouri’s legal climate through tort reform; and
• Increasing funding to support career and technical centers across the state and career counseling for high school students.

“As we move forward, Missouri’s business community is united and ready to help build a stronger future for our state,” Corches said.