Mo. lawmakers propose efforts to help businesses

Missouri lawmakers promising a session focused on creating jobs already have proposed a variety of pro-business bills.

Legislation filed by Sen. Luann Ridgeway would make Missouri a "right-to-work" state in which employees could not be required to join unions or pay fees to labor organizations. Ridgeway, a Republican from Smithville, said Thursday that Missouri is losing jobs and that being a "right-towork" state can help entice companies. She also has proposed replacing income taxes with a sales tax.

Union officials say "right-to-work" efforts would reduce standards of living and would not attract new businesses.

Other lawmakers suggest reducing corporate taxes and offering a tax deduction for small businesses that create jobs. Another proposal would bar for 5 years many new state regulations that affect businesses with less than 50 employees.