The 2022 City of Independence State Legislative Policy is a policy document that expresses the positions of the City for the 2022 Missouri General Assembly Session.  The policy outlines the top four issues of importance to Independence and for which the City intends to advocate for in 2022.  The four priorities for the 2022 session:

1. Oppose any legislative changes to Economic Development tools (mainly Community Improvement Districts).
2. Oppose any reductions, caps or altering of the local sales tax rate.
3. The City supports any federal or state solutions and resources to address blight.  Oppose legislation that would limit local control of rights-of-ways and public assets related to the deployment of wireless facilities and small cell wireless attachments.
4. Oppose legislation that would limit local control of rights-of-ways and public assets related to the deployment of wireless facilities and small cell wireless attachments

The statements of policy are general and are intended to give staff and the city’s contracted lobbying teams basic direction to respond to bills and amendments that come up throughout the session.  Due to the volume of bills and pace of the process it is not practical to seek Council guidance on every bill and amendments that are put forth by the General Assembly. 

The Council is provided a weekly newsletter that updates the City on bills, and other activities of the General Assembly and state government by John Bardgett & Associates and Strategic Capitol Consulting.   Regular meetings, phone calls and other communication also occur during the legislative session to keep City leadership updated on a timely basis.