Perspective: Special session 'big deal'

A week after the close of the regular legislative session, both the House and the Senate are preparing to convene May 22 for a special session. On Thursday, Gov. Greitens called the Legislature back into session, beginning at 4 p.m. Monday to consider legislation to facilitate the location of a steel mill and other manufacturing jobs in Southeast Missouri.

My conversations with the governor's office affirm this is time-sensitive legislation directly impacting whether or not the steel mill locates to Missouri. The prospect of 500 direct jobs is worth the Legislature's attention. Add to this the thousands of indirect jobs associated with the steel mill, and this becomes very worthy of a special session.

Five-hundred new, high-paying jobs in the state is a big deal. Adding these jobs in the Bootheel has the potential to breathe economic life into a region that has seen far too many jobs flee.

I have heard questions about the cost-effectiveness of a special session and whether or not it is worth the expense to taxpayers. In this instance the answer is an unequivocal yes. I appreciate the governor's leadership in recognizing the opportunity to bring these jobs to Missouri and further announce "we are open for business" as a state. I look forward to a successful special session, working with the House and the governor to bring these jobs, and the opportunities associated with them, to Missouri.

State Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, represents the 6th District, and shares his perspective on statehouse issues each week.