Springfield Good Government Committee to be dissolved

A political action committee operated by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield, Missouri, is being dissolved.

The Springfield Good Government Committee is slated to be shut down in early 2024, according to a news release.

With the change, chamber officials say the PAC no longer would endorse candidates for Springfield City Council. Instead, the chamber plans to focus on recruiting candidates for council and providing training and business-issue education to all candidates.

"The Springfield Good Government Committee served a necessary and important role in positioning our community for growth and prosperity; however, unique challenges and opportunities lie ahead for our community," said Joselyn Baldner, chamber board chair, in the release. "The moment requires a new approach to local nonpartisan campaigns, and our board of directors unanimously agrees this is the best course for the business community and Springfield’s future success."

The Springfield Good Government Committee has formally existed since 2010 and has worked to recruit, endorse and financially support council candidates, according to the release.

Officials involved with the committee say the PAC provided a needed service at the time of its inception, but now, financial support has shifted away from it in favor of direct business contributions to candidates.

“This transition allows us to prioritize chamber member education and invest in the strong business climate we have in the Springfield community," chamber President Matt Morrow said in the release. "We look forward to continuing our work through an engagement model that benefits candidates, members and the broader community.”

The Springfield Good Government Committee's quarterly report filed Oct. 16 with the Missouri Ethics Commission points to money on hand of nearly $69,000.