Branson board approves city's legislative agenda

Branson's Board of Aldermen has approved the city's 2003 legislative agenda, defining the city's position on issues to be discussed during the Missouri General Assembly session running from January through mid-May, according to a news release from the city.

City Administrator Terry Dody said that requests for support or opposition to bills usually require immediate attention. "Passage of this resolution by the Board of Aldermen allows city officials to respond to such requests with confidence that they have the support of the full board," Dody said.

Communicating with state legislators is a priority for Mayor Lou Schaefer.

"We've been staying in close contact with legislators the past five years, and Branson has developed a good working relationship with Jefferson City," Schaefer said. "Legislators do remember visits by constituents, and that can be helpful when the city needs state assistance on local projects and issues."

Issues supported by Branson include improvements to Missouri's transportation system; increased funding for tourism promotion and to attract more visitors to Missouri; state regulation of timeshare sales; affordable health care plans for small businesses; and mandating maximum levels of phosphorous and nitrates for Missouri lakes, rivers and streams.

Opposed by Branson were the expansion of legalized gambling in southwest Missouri, legislation that would interfere with municipal authority to determine personnel or merit system rules and regulations, and reduction of local regulatory authority over developers.

Issues on the legislative agenda were compiled by city directors and the Missouri Municipal League.