The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- It was time to focus on the state of a local legislative district Friday morning.  Citizens gathered to hear from state legislators at the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual State of the District address.  Missouri State Senator Wes Shoemyer from Clarence and Representative Rebecca McClanahan from Kirksville had the chance to provide an update on the current legislative session and report on any relevant issues for the Kirksville and Adair County area.

McClanahan was happy to share that the economy of her district seems to be stable.

"The economy of north Missouri is in better shape than the rest of Missouri.  So, that’s very exciting to me that we have…and Kirksville is a bright spot.  We have lower unemployment.  We have higher sales tax revenue so we’re fairly stable here.  We’ve actually created jobs in the last year," says McClanahan.

A question from the audience about Shoemyer’s stance on the Premium Standard Farms issue provided a very spirited debate. He says that he understands the challenges many people have concerning their jobs, but feels if an extension is granted, that it be so with one main clause.

THE STORY CONTINUES BELOW......

"I would certainly hope that if there is an extension that it is made very clear that this is it," said Shoemeyer.

Shoemyer says Smithfield was aware of the issues before purchasing P.S.F. and they’ve had time to remedy the situation.

"I think they knew all these risks coming in.  And…I understand the challenges many people have concerning their jobs.  That’s why I have taken the position to allow the attorney general to do his job.  He has the opportunity to weigh the challenges and research this fully.   But, also, there needs to be someone standing there saying there are people…there are families that were here before P-S-F who are waiting for remedy.  The courts have said make a remedy.  Be a good neighbor," Shoemeyer said.

Shoemeyer says that he has spoken with the attorney general to let him know that he supports his decision.

The next scheduled Government In Focus event is The State of Industry planned for Friday, April 16^th and local plant managers along with Kirksville Director of Job Creation, Phil Tate, have been invited to speak.