In an election , an opportunity

But all in all , there is nothing bigger than the contest happening in your town on Nov . 8 .

I ’ ll forgive you if by now you ’ ve become jaded by the months of negative campaigning and opinionated journalism . However , try to look past that and consider the uniqueness of the election in which you are about to participate .

On Election Day , we will choose both a new president and a new governor — with no incumbent in either race . We also have a competitive U . S . Senate race and several impactful ballot issues to decide here in Missouri . Oh , and most of our statewide elected offices are on the ballot — with no incumbents running in any of those races . It ’ s hard to remember an election quite like this .

So , on Nov . 8 , you will make your individual choices in all these races . Then , later that evening , we will learn whom we ’ ve collectively chosen . The results will be a snapshot of our society , a direction we ’ ve chosen as reflected by the people we ’ ve picked to lead us there .

Undoubtedly that moment will be dominated by news of the new president . But here in Missouri , we will also begin

anticipating the transition of power to a new governor , lieutenant governor , attorney general , secretary of state and treasurer .

All of these leaders will be new to their jobs . They will bring with them their own agendas . There will be a surge of fresh energy in government .

Conversely , the influx of new ideas creates a purge of the old ones — and that ’ s not always a good thing .

One of the concerns we ’ ve heard from the business community is about the knowledge and consistency that are lost during these transitions . We ’ ve long needed a mechanism to ensure that an understanding of how to improve our economy is carried over from an outgoing administration to an incoming one . In the past , it ’ s often been like starting over from square one with each new elected leader .

That ’ s one of the reasons we created Missouri 2030 . It is designed to serve as a vehicle — independent of the government — that houses the agenda and the ideas of the business community . It ’ s not something that dies with each political transition . It will remain relevant no matter who is elected .

In fact , it ’ s likely to become even more relevant than ever . Since we announced Missouri 2030 in early 2015 , we ’ ve been sharing our findings and ideas with business leaders statewide . We ’ ve also been

sharing them with state lawmakers and other elected leaders . I ’ ve personally met with both governor candidates , and I know both understand how important Missouri 2030 is to the future of our state ’ s economy .

I have every reason to believe this election will be a turning point where Missouri 2030 becomes a core part of the policy discussion in our state .

You can help make this happen . As you research your choices before Election Day , please use the Missouri Chamber PAC ’ s Election Center website to learn where the candidates stand on the important business issues included in Missouri 2030 . The site is available at election . mochamber . com .

Just type in your home address and the site will automatically generate the right list of candidates for you to compare and contrast .

Happy Election Day !

Daniel P . Mehan , President / CEO , Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry

MISSOURI CHAMBER

NOVEMBER 2016 3