Each year, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry honors legislators who have gone above and beyond in support of pro-jobs legislation with the Spirit of Enterprise Award. On Nov. 15 in Kansas City, three legislators will be given this award during the Missouri Chamber’s Missouri Business Awards: Sen. Ed Emery, Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick and Rep. Rob Vescovo.
“The Spirit of Enterprise Award recognizes legislators who have consistently shown efforts to protect our state’s free enterprise system,” said Daniel P. Mehan, Missouri Chamber president and CEO. “It is important that we highlight the lawmakers who are fighting for jobs in the Missouri General Assembly.”
Sen. Ed Emery, a Republican from Lamar, sponsored the first utility regulatory reform bill in over a decade. His bill will help bring our electric infrastructure up to the requirements of today’s businesses. As chairman of the Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee, Emery has shepherded several bills through committee for investment and updates to Missouri’s aging infrastructure. In 2017 he helped pass the collateral source rule, a tort reform priority of the business community. Emery also supports education reform, advocating for changes that enhance Missouri’s workforce.
As chairman of the House Budget Committee, Shell Knob Republican Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick led efforts to fully fund our state’s K-12 education foundation formula for the second year in a row. Fitzpatrick also guided the legislature’s restoration of $68 million dollars in proposed cuts to higher education. The budget also included $3 million for the development of four adult high schools to help teach more adults critical workforce skills.
A Jefferson County Republican, Rep. Rob Vescovo was first elected to the Missouri House in 2014. He was elected Majority Floor Leader by his colleagues and directs floor debate in the House. Under Vescovo’s leadership, the House passed a number of important pro-business priorities, including several civil justice reform bills, tax reform, computer science and STEM bills, and utilities legislation.
