NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 9, 2013

From the Office of Representative Paul Wieland

112th District CONTACT: Rep. Paul Wieland (573) 751-3607

Rep. Paul Wieland leads vote on bill to benefit Missouri Ports

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. State Rep. Paul Wieland (R-Imperial), Chairman of the newlyformed Issue Development Standing Committee on Missouri Ports, voted today with Representatives McCaherty and Gannon and the Missouri House of Representatives to adopt CCR SCS HCS HB 4. This bill includes $421,667 for the Jefferson County Port Authority which effectively triples the amount it has received since 1999. Representatives Wieland (R-Imperial), John McCaherty (R-High Ridge) and Elaine Gannon (RDe Soto) have been working hard for creation of the proposed port in Jefferson County. With the scheduled closure of The Doe Run Smelter at the end of this year, this appropriation was crucial for the effort. Following the vote, Rep. Wieland said, Last year we came close, this year we succeeded. This appropriation will continue the momentum and move the proposed port projects in Jefferson County one step closer to reality. Rep. McCaherty said, I am pleased to see the General Assembly appropriate this money for our Jefferson County Port Authority. The port has a long way to go, but with this appropriation it

shows a commitment from the state toward the project and the opportunities we have locally for substantial job growth and economic development. Rep. Gannon said, The money appropriated from the Missouri House of Representatives is a major step in the right direction for the Jefferson County Port Authority. The final vote on CCR SCS HCS HB4 was 108-52 in the House, and 25-7 in the Senate. In addition to yes votes from Representatives Wieland (R-Imperial), John McCaherty (R-High Ridge) and Elaine Gannon (R-De Soto) other Jefferson County Representatives Jeff Roorda (DBarnhart), Michael Frame (D-Eureka), Ben Harris (D-Hillsboro) and T.J. McKenna (D-Festus) voted against the Conference Committee Report. ##