Editorial: About Jobs . . .
The Legislature should listen to the people who create them
Charleston Daily Mail, January 6, 2007
Economic development is the most-voiced and
least-delivered promise in state politics. The 2007 Legislature should listen to
the people who struggle to make a buck in this state — the businesses of
The state Chamber of Commerce has seven simple
suggestions:
Help provide a
trained and skilled work force. That includes helping employers ensure a
drug-free workplace. Many employers cannot fill jobs because applicants
cannot pass basic drug screenings.
Bring tort law into line with other states.
Stem the tidal wave of mass litigation over asbestos and silica. Ensure that injured people are diagnosed based on established medical criteria and by an attending physician.
Eliminate the cost-shift from government-run health programs to the private sector. Allow employers to take advantage of multi-state health-care pools.
Cut those costs of doing business that the state controls. Even with reforms, the state’s workers’ comp costs per employee covered are significantly higher than all other states. Its business taxes rank among the highest in the nation.
Streamline the process for obtaining lawful environmental and regulatory permits.
Improve infrastructure, including broadband Internet connections. That’s how people do business today.
Making
It means working with businesses to create the
higher-paying jobs