When it comes to job creation and economic development, we have to do two things at once. First, we have to make sure we preserve existing Missouri companies and help them expand. Second, we have to lure start-ups and out-of-state companies here to Missouri – particularly technology companies.

While Missouri does well among other states in our investment in research and development, we trail most Midwestern states in our ability to “commercialize” the result of that research.

Lately, I have spent a lot of time visiting with entrepreneurs across the state. Our infrastructure and foundation is strong, but our follow through is weak. It’s not the fault of anyone in power now – we must give those in office today the tools necessary for success.

Currently, we can nurture an idea and bring it into the world, even raise it through adolescence. But just when it’s ready to go out and really set the world on fire, another state comes in with the tools to lure that business away from us. As the Governor has pointed out frequently, there is no limit to what Missouri can do if we have the right tools.

To me, this comes down to a focus on the principle of “agility.”

This may be best understood by historical analogy. American Presidents, until the 1940’s, were frequently frustrated in their foreign policy by the constitutional requirement that foreign treaties be ratified by the U.S. Senate. After much negotiation and effort with a foreign power, they were sometimes humiliated when the Congress undermined their work and, as a result, their credibility with foreign leaders.

That’s when crafty Presidents came up with the concept of an “executive agreement.” It’s not a full treaty, but it doesn’t require approval by the Senate. Now, there’s a lot of debate about this even today, though the U.S. Supreme Court has endorsed it as constitutional. But what executive agreements do is provide the President with more authority to negotiate on behalf of the United States by allowing him to react quickly to a changing world. It makes the United States more agile. If you want to learn more about the history behind this, click here.

The Governor of Missouri practices a foreign policy of sorts when dealing with the national and international economy. Whether it’s a matter of keeping a company in Missouri or luring a company to our state, the Governor is not unlike the President negotiating with a foreign power. However, in this case, the Governor needs agility as he competes against other states and even other nations on our behalf. Part of his job is to preach the benefits of doing business in Missouri.

Missouri does have a variety of economic development tools available now. If you or someone you know is interested in the tools available to entrepreneurs in Missouri, check out this website.

For more on the need for new economic development tools and the bipartisan efforts of Governor Nixon and Speaker Richard, check out this article by Chad Livengood of the Springfield News-Leader.

As we pursue new economic development tools, we should focus on solutions that allow the executive branch to act quickly. Regardless of whether the Governor is a Democrat or a Republican, I want him or her to have the credibility and the agility to take reasonable and important actions to create jobs in Missouri.

This session, I look forward to working with the Governor, the Speaker, and others who are focused on increasing Missouri’s competitiveness throughout the world.