Missouri Capitol Chat

S05E4: What to Watch in the Second Half of Session

Lawmakers return to work on Monday after their annual spring break. In these final eight weeks, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s governmental affairs team will be at the Capitol for long hours fighting for your business. See where some of the business community's top priorities stand, including child care tax credits, public safety measures, the FRA program and tort reform.

SO5E2: Legislative Leadership with Pat Thomas

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry honored Pat Thomas with its inaugural Legislative Staff Leadership Award in 2023. Thomas serves as the chief of staff for Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield. 

S05E3: Legislative Leadership with Pat Thomas

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry honored Pat Thomas with its inaugural Legislative Staff Leadership Award in 2023. Thomas serves as the chief of staff for Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield. 

S05E1: Business Champion: Rep. Brenda Shields

In the fifth  episode of our Business Champions series, Rep. Brenda Shields (R-St. Joseph) joins the Missouri Chamber's governmental affairs team to discuss her business background and her collaborative efforts to get pro-business policy passed in Jefferson City. Learn more about Rep. Shields including her passion for improving access to child care, as well as her other priorities for 2024.

S05E2: Business Champion – Rep. Brenda Shields

In the fifth  episode of our Business Champions series, Rep. Brenda Shields (R-St. Joseph) joins the Missouri Chamber's governmental affairs team to discuss her business background and her collaborative efforts to get pro-business policy passed in Jefferson City. Learn more about Rep. Shields including her passion for improving access to child care, as well as her other priorities for 2024.

Preview of 2024 Legislative Session

What issues will lead debate in the 2024 Legislative Session? Find out with Capitol Chat! The Missouri Chamber’s governmental affairs team outlines priorities for the new year. What impact will upcoming elections have on progress? Will returning issues like child care, public safety, tort reform and health care make it across the finish line? Here’s what our experts predict.   

S05E1: Preview of 2024 Legislative Session

What issues will lead debate in the 2024 Legislative Session? Find out with Capitol Chat! The Missouri Chamber’s governmental affairs team outlines priorities for the new year. What impact will upcoming elections have on progress? Will returning issues like child care, public safety, tort reform and health care make it across the finish line? Here’s what our experts predict.   

S04E15: Business Champion – Sen. Karla Eslinger

In the fourth episode of our Business Champions series, Sen. Karla Eslinger (R-Wasola) joins the Missouri Chamber's governmental affairs team to discuss her background in education and her collaborative efforts to get pro-business policy passed in Jefferson City. Learn more about Sen. Eslinger, including her passion for improving access to child care and fixing Missouri's teacher shortage, as well as her other priorities for 2024.

S04E14: Business Champion – Rep. Aaron Crossley

In the third episode of our Business Champions series, Rep. Aaron Crossley (D-Independence) joins the Missouri Chamber's governmental affairs team to discuss his unique background that led him to run for office and his collaborative efforts to get pro-business policy passed in Jefferson City. Learn more about Rep. Crossley, including his passion for railroad travel and his other priorities for 2024.

S04E13: Business Champion – Rep. Sherri Gallick

In the second episode of our Business Champions series, Rep. Sherri Gallick (R-Belton) joins the Missouri Chamber's governmental affairs team to discuss pro-business legislation she helped champion during the 2023 legislative session. Learn more about Rep. Gallick, including her passion for improving child care access  and her other priorities for 2024.

S04E12: Business Champion – Rep. Mike Henderson

In the first episode of our Business Champions series, Rep. Mike Henderson (R-Bonne Terre) joins the Missouri Chamber's governmental affairs team to discuss pro-business legislation he championed during the 2023 legislative session. Learn more about Rep. Henderson, including his passions, personal life, and priorities for 2024.

S04E11: Time to Sign

Which bills and budget items did Gov. Parson sign? Catch up with Capitol Chat! The Missouri Chamber's governmental affairs team breaks down the finalized state budget,  including a major investment in I-70. They also dive into the vetoed items that didn't make it across the finish line. Plus, learn which legislation was signed into law and which pro-business issues we'll be advocating for in 2024.

S04E10: Session Wrap-up

What exactly happened this legislative session? Catch up with Capitol Chat! The Missouri Chamber’s governmental affairs team dives into the 2023 legislative session – the good, the bad and the ugly. Learn which pro-business bills made it across the finish line, which bills were blocked, and what's next for our advocacy efforts.

S04E09: Sprinting to the Finish

Less than two weeks remain in the 2023 Missouri Legislative Session, and several critical business issues remain in play as the clock ticks down to May 12. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s governmental affairs team will be at the Capitol for long hours over the coming days fighting for employers on issues such as cybersecurity grant funding, an upskill credential program and tort reform. In this episode, Phillip, Heidi and Kara explain where these pro-business bills stand. 

S04E08: The Final Four (Weeks of Session)

With just four weeks left in the 2023 legislative session, join the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Governmental Affairs team for a biweekly check-in on pro-business priorities, such as child care tax credits and tort reform. Plus, learn more about the job-killing business mandates the Missouri Chamber is opposing over these final weeks.

S04E07: Bills on the Move

Just six weeks remain in the 2023 legislative session! Join the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Governmental Affairs team as they break down the progress legislators are making on pro-business bills, such as child care and ESOP tax credits. Plus, learn why Kara, Heidi and Phillip might need to get "let business decide" embroidered on their suit jackets.

S04E06: We're Halfway There!

It's officially Legislative Spring Break – the halfway point of the 2023 legislative session. Join the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Governmental Affairs team as they break down some pro-business bills and the progress that's been made thus far. Plus, take a look ahead at the work that's still left to do.

S04E05: Cracking Down on Crime

Rep. Lane Roberts (R-Joplin) joins Phillip Arnzen, director of legislative affairs at the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to break down HB 301. The bill, sponsored by Roberts, contains several provisions to address the multi-faceted and complex issue of rising crime. 

S04E04: Off to the Races

Session is underway, and it's a sprint until the month of May. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Governmental Affairs team breaks down the Governor's State of the State address, as well as the first few weeks of the legislative session. Hear about some of the early fireworks and what you can expect to see in the months ahead.

S04E03: CEO Survey

Missouri business leaders have a mixed outlook for the year ahead.  Pat McFerron of CHS & Associates joins the the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Governmental Affairs team to break down the results of the Missouri Chamber's annual CEO survey.  Plus, Phillip, Kara and Heidi share some "Capitol Insight" as the 2023 Legislative Session kicks off.

S04E02: Pre-filing Begins

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: bill pre-filing has begun. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Governmental Affairs team looks ahead to the 2023 Legislative Session. From public safety issues to legal reform, they break down some of pre-filed bills that align with the Missouri Chamber’s top priorities.   

S04E01: General Election Recap

Two new podcast hosts join Capitol Chat to break down Missouri’s new class of lawmakers. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Governmental Affairs team looks back at the results of the November General Election. They explain what a fresh crop of legislators, along with marijuana legalization, means for our pro-business advocacy efforts.

S03E10: Primary Election Recap

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Governmental Affairs team looks back at the results of the August Primary Election and details what it means for our pro-business advocacy efforts.

S03E09: Season Finale — Session Recap

On May 13, the Missouri Legislature gaveled out with a bang. Ross, Kara and Carol discuss what bills made it across the finish line and what lies ahead for the Missouri Chamber's legislative and political efforts. 

S03E08: 5, 4, 3, 2....

With just five days of the 2022 Legislative Session to go, the Missouri Chamber advocacy team is ramping up efforts to keep anti-business amendments off bills and get pro-jobs policies across the finish line.

S03E07: The Top 7

With two weeks remaining in the legislative session,  Ross, Kara and Carol detail the Missouri Chamber's 7 top issues. The governmental affairs team also analyzes the recent action in the Missouri House and Senate as the final countdown begins to May 13. 

S03E06: Five weeks remain

As lawmakers race against the clock, several pro-business bills hang in the balance. Ross, Kara and Carol take a look at where our legislative priorities are in the process — Fast Track, legal reform, workforce, economic development, cybersecurity and others — and what they're doing to stop anti-business measures that continue to come up on the floor.

S03E5.5 Bonus update: Senate pulls all-nighter

In this special edition of Missouri Capitol Chat, we take you behind the scenes of the Senate's all-nighter to pass a congressional map — and update you on our fight against the anti-business push for government control over employers' workplace policies. 

S03E05 Halfway there

Now that the Legislature's spring break has arrived, the Missouri Chamber advocacy team recaps their work so far and what to expect in the second half of the session. In today's episode: news on the workforce, technology, legal reform and sports wagering bills we support, plus updates on anti-business legislation we are opposing. 

S03E04

S03E03 Snowed Out

Though winter weather brought Capitol business to a halt earlier than usual this week, state lawmakers made progress on several of the employer community’s priorities. This week, Ross, Kara and Carol share what the legislature has been up to as redistricting debates continue, plus what issues have advanced in committee hearings including bills on workforce, public safety, technology, unemployment and vaccine-related mandates.

S03E02 Full Speed Ahead

In this episode:  A new voice joins the podcast!  The team sums up the first two weeks of session and looks ahead to the issues coming up next.  Pro-business bills regarding legal reform and workforce development are on the move.  Vaccine-related mandate proposals have the Missouri employer community saying, "Let business decide." 

S03E01 Session Kickoff

The Missouri General Assembly is bracing for legislative chaos as the 2022 Session looms — and the Missouri Chamber team will be standing firm in the fray to provide a clear, steady path toward ways to supercharge Missouri’s economic recovery, grow jobs and protect employers against harmful policies. Here’s what you need to know about business issues including redistricting conflicts, budget discussions, innovative workforce development to combat the labor shortage, vaccine-related mandates ...

S02E08 Season 2 Finale

The team catches up listeners on employer-relevant news and bids farewell to Matt, who is departing next week for North Carolina. 

S02E07

A lot has happened since the last episode of Missouri Capitol Chat! Hear the latest on policy, Missouri Supreme Court rulings, upcoming Senate and Congressional races and COVID-19 — and how it all impacts employers. 

Session Recap S02E06

When the legislative session ended at 6 p.m. on Friday, a historic amount of pro-jobs legislation had been successfully passed — some at the very last minute. Matt, Ross and Kara recap the excitement and share the wins they secured for employers.

The final countdown S02E05

Before the clock strikes 6pm this Friday, the legislature has a lot on the table that could still make it to the governor's desk. Which business priorities still have a chance of crossing the finish line? Matt, Kara and Ross discuss and give an info-packed overview of the last week of the session.

The final countdown S02E04

Before the clock strikes 6pm this Friday, the legislature has a lot on the table that could still make it to the governor's desk. Which business priorities still have a chance of crossing the finish line? Matt, Kara and Ross discuss and give an info-packed overview of the last week of the session.

Sprint to the Finish S02E04

With three weeks left til the end of session,  the legislature is in crunch time. The team gives updates on the state of education reform, transportation investment, Wayfair implementation,  workforce development, the vaccine rollout and other business issues. 

Eight weeks to go S02E03

Several critical pro-business bills made big progress in the Capitol before Spring Break, but the fight isn't over yet. It's a race to the finish — what will lawmakers tackle when they return next week, and how can the business community help push these bills to the governor's desk?

Eight weeks to go

Several critical pro-business bills made big progress in the Capitol before Spring Break, but the fight isn't over yet. It's a race to the finish — what will lawmakers tackle when they return next week, and how can the business community help push these bills to the governor's desk?

February Recap

Ross, Kara and Matt are back from the Capitol to join us in the studio and update you on all things Missouri business! In this episode:  COVID-19 liability protections Education reform Computer science legislation Workforce development bills Unemployment overpayment update The push for more transportation investment Energy policy Vaccine rollout and more!

February Recap S02E02

Ross, Kara and Matt are back from the Capitol to join us in the studio and update you on all things Missouri business! In this episode:  COVID-19 liability protections Education reform Computer science legislation Workforce development bills Unemployment overpayment update The push for more transportation investment Energy policy Vaccine rollout and more!

S02E01: Session kicks off

Kicking off season two of the podcast, the team discusses progress on the COVID-19 liability protection bill and transportation infrastructure legislation, Gov. Parson's top priorities in his 2021 State of the State address, and updates on Missouri's vaccine rollout effort. 

S01E12: 2021 Legislative Session Preview

Hear from the Missouri Chamber's governmental affairs team about the top issues and bills expected to be the focus of the 2021 Legislative Session.

Nov. 3 Election Preview

With the Nov. 3 election mere days away, our legislative experts weigh in on the hottest races and what results could mean for our business community. 

Countdown to Aug. 4

With less than a week until the Aug. 4 primary, Matt and Ross discuss the most heated races as well as Gov. Parson’s special session on violent crime. They also look ahead to the November election.

S01E09 - A Primer on Missouri's Primaries

The August 4 Primary Election is less than two months out. The Missouri Capitol Chat team highlights some of the state's most interesting races. They also give an update on the possibility for a special session and bid farewell to a longtime capitol denizen who recently retired.

S01E08 - End of Session Special Episode

The 2020 Legislative Session has adjourned! The Missouri Capitol Chat team takes a deep dive into the bills that passed and the legislation that just missed the cut. They also look forward toward the possibility of Gov. Parson calling a special session (or sessions). 

S01E07 - Latest coronavirus news

The Missouri Capitol Chat team provides a business-focused update on the COVID-19 crisis & the upcoming resumption of the legislative session, along with insight from Rep. Vicky Hartzler and Sen. Roy Blunt.