Sen. Roy Blunt sat down with nearly 30 business leaders and elected officials from around the area to discuss tax reform and its benefits Wednesday at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport.
When President Donald Trump rolled out his tax reform plan, he quickly suggested a different name. Blunt said the president did not want people to think it was a way to increase taxes.
"The tax cut and jobs acts," Blunt said was the new name. "And that's what it's designed to do."
He reported unemployment numbers are the lowest they have been in 18 years and more jobs are available in the 12 Midwestern states than people residing.
"This has never been the case since that statistic was kept," he said.
During his tour of the state over the last several days, Blunt said there are two ways for workers to take home more money: take less taxes out of their paychecks or score better jobs to begin with.
To put in perspective how tax reform has helped citizens, Blunt said a single parent of one child who made $41,000 per year is now taking home an extra $130 they didn't have last year.
"For my colleagues who say an extra $100 doesn't matter apparently never didn't have a $100 a month," he said.
When thinking about what those people can do, Blunt said, that's a pretty big deal and will add up in the local economy.
Blunt went on to praise two local employers who rewarded their employees after benefiting from tax reform.
The Tyson Foods plant in Dexter employees 650 people and gave $1,000 to each worker, Mark Avery, complex manager, said.
"I can't describe the impact that had on the people there," he said. "One lady cried."
Avery also told Blunt the average wage of an employee at his plant was $24.86 plus benefits. Tyson has also been able to provide GED funding for employees and spend more capitol.
AT&T also gave a $1,000 bonus to each employee including the 36 at the Poplar Bluff location that will go back into the Butler County economy.
In addition, Blunt heard first-hand accounts of how the tax reform was benefitting not only businesses in the area, but the economy as well.
President of Southern Bank Greg Steffens said since tax reform, overdraft fees have decreased about five percent each month.
"People have more money in their pocket because they are not over drafting as much," Steffens said. "That is one positive attribute."
Steffens added he was hearing from investors who were unsure whether or not to invest in new projects with fear tax reform may not continue under a new administration.
"In an upswing economy you have to hope people start taking risks they wouldn't normally take," Blunt said. "Risk and reward is what makes the economy work."
Bill Robison of Smith & Co. Engineers in Poplar Bluff reported the company was participating in a lot of infrastructure work.
"We are seeing a lot of activity, which is exciting," Robison said. "Things are looking good."
Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce President Steve Halter told Blunt manufacturers in the area are expanding their operations and taking on more lines.
"I have received more inquiries so far this year on the industrial certified side than last year," he said. "I think we will continue to see this trend."
Blunt believed this is an "interesting market" for jobs and people want to bring more manufacturing jobs to the area.
To do this, Blunt said two questions to be looked at include can the utility bill be paid for what the business wants to do and does the transportation system work.
"If the answer to either is no, there is no reason to look at the location any longer," he said.
While in "fair shape" in both areas, Blunt said the transportation system needs to be better and an eye kept on utility bills.
According to City Manager of Poplar Bluff Mark Massingham, 45 percent of the general fund budget is from sales tax.
"The last five to six years, it has been very stagnant and no growth at all," he said. "Since February, it is up about seven percent this year and a lot had to do with putting that money back in the pockets of people."
Butler County Commissioner Dennis "Boots" LeGrand echoed Massingham and said the county is beginning "to see things get a little better."
"There is an optimism about the economy," Blunt said. "I think regulators are in a much more common sense place leaving money at home that would otherwise be somewhere else. Our businesses can be competitive all over the world in ways they haven't been for quite awhile."
Less than 24 hours after Gov. Eric Greitens announced he would be resigning, Blunt addressed the decision while in Poplar Bluff.
"I think the governor's decision was the best one for his family and best one for the state," he said.
Blunt has previously stated he would not call for Greitens' resignation and that the criminal and legislative process should be allowed to continue and determine if he were to stay in office.
During stops around the state, Blunt said he was questioned whether or not he believed the discussions surrounding Greitens would continue through the election.
"No," Blunt said. "We have a lot of positive things we can and will talk about. I think that discussion will transition pretty quickly."