Laborers denounce Mo. Sens. Hawley, Schmitt for putting political games before working families’ needs

Wentzville, MO – The Missouri-Kansas Laborers’ District Council is deeply disappointed by the decisions of Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt to refuse to participate in the earmark process to fund community projects, resulting in a significant shortfall in infrastructure funding for Missouri for fiscal year 2024.

In a recently signed budget package, $468 billion of funding was allocated to infrastructure projects across the country. In the package, Missouri secured a mere $95.1 million, while neighboring Kansas, a state with half the population of Missouri, received $189.5 million.

“This disparity in infrastructure funding is unacceptable,” stated Brandon Flinn, business manager, Missouri-Kansas Laborers District Council. “Our crumbling infrastructure in Missouri cannot afford such negligence, especially when it directly affects the well-being of our citizens and our members’ livelihoods.”

DIRECT RESULT OF HAWLEY AND SCHMITT
The lack of funding returning to Missouri is a direct result of Senators Hawley and Schmitt claiming that they intentionally did not participate in the earmark process where Senators request funding for community projects. In 2024, two-thirds of U.S. Senators made requests including Missouri’s neighboring states of Illinois and Arkansas who requested $558 million and $424.7 million respectively.

“We are pleased that our dedicated members in Kansas have elected officials in Congress who are putting working families over petty politics,” continued Flinn. “However, the implications are dire for Missourians: fewer projects will receive crucial funding to repair our streets, bridges, and airports, leading to a decline in job opportunities for our members. As a result, Missouri risks falling behind in vital infrastructure improvements essential for economic growth and public safety.”

‘PAY TAXES JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE’
“I have been working in Missouri nearly 31 years,” Robert Anderson of Fulton, Mo., and member of Laborers’ Local 955 said. “I pay my federal taxes just like everyone else, and I shouldn’t have to worry about my senators bringing that money back into our state to fix our roads or help put us to work. I count on these types of projects to keep me employed and able to provide for my family, but Senators Hawley and Schmitt would rather play political games than do what’s right for Missourians like me.”

The Missouri-Kansas Laborers’ District Council calls upon Senator Hawley and Schmitt to prioritize the needs of Missouri by actively participating in securing funding for essential infrastructure projects. The future prosperity and safety of our state depend on it.