The Journalist's Creed Headlines  NewsBook: MDN headlines   NewsNow: Headlines from across the state  NewsViews: Editorials across the state Stories  Search 2008  Text Search  By Date  By Subject  By Reporter  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000  1999  1998  1997  1996  1995 Data 2008  Feb. Special Elections Presidential Primary  House Votes  Senate Votes  2009 Budget  Registered Lobbyists  Meeting Notices  Bills  House Roster  Senate Roster  Calendars  Supreme Court Dockets  Supreme Court Decisions  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000  1999  1998  1997  1996  1995 Audio  House Live   Senate Live  MDN Map

Missouri declared to be in state of emergency

Missouri is declared to be in a state of emergency by national and state Chambers of Commerce due to high job loss.

Nishi Gupta reports.

TEXT

According to statistics from the U.S. Labor department, Missouri has lost almost 78,000 jobs, more than any other state in the country. Missouri Chamber of Commerce President, Daniel Mehan, says the number is staggering.

Mehan says some of those factors include employers having to pick up the tab from frivolous lawsuits from workers compensation and medical malpractice. He says lawmakers need to act by tightening the loopholes in the two systems. That way, employers won't cut jobs to make up for the money lost in court.

Senate Minority Leader, Ken Jacob of Columbia, says the chamber is just using it's political power to put money before the welfare of employees.

From Jefferson City, Nishi Gupta, KMOX News.