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Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To submit news, contact: editor@slfp.com To advertise, contact: advertising@slfp.com Job Creation Bill Opens Door to More High Wage Jobs with Health Benefits ST. LOUIS (SLFP.com), September 9, 2007 - Gov. Matt Blunt has signed pro-jobs, pro-growth legislation at a St. Louis business that is expected to benefit from the new law. The economic development bill builds on the state's strong economic climate and will attract and retain high quality jobs that offer health insurance for Missouri workers. The job creation bill will help build on the more than 85,000 jobs Missourians have created since the governor took office in January 2005. "The pro-jobs, pro-growth initiatives we have already enacted have allowed Missourians to use their entrepreneurial ingenuity to create nearly 85,000 jobs since I took office," Gov. Blunt said in an announcement. "This bill provides more opportunities to add to the more than 17,000 jobs with health care benefits and high wages that were connected to the Quality Jobs Initiative. This job creation bill allows Missourians to work hard, encourages people to innovate, and allows them to invest what they earn and create even more jobs and economic opportunities to strengthen our state's position as a global competitor." "In the economic development world, Missouri has always had a tough time competing due to limited programs and resources," Sen. John Griesheimer said. "However, with the signing of this legislation Missouri will move into the driver's seat and will be a force to be reckoned with." "I want to thank Governor Blunt for signing this bill," Rep. Ron Richard said. "With this legislation, we have reaffirmed the fact that Missouri is open for business and we are aggressive and serious about attracting family supporting jobs for the people of this state." The governor and the General Assembly created the Quality Jobs Program in 2005. It is the most important economic development tool available in Missouri to help create family-supporting jobs with good wages and healthcare benefits. House Bill 1 increases the program's annual capacity from $12 million to $40 million, which will allow our state to attract and retain quality jobs, with healthcare for hard working Missourians. Already this innovative program has helped renew Missouri's economy and has had a role in helping to maintain or secure more than 17,000 high quality jobs that provide both healthcare benefits and higher than average wages. In addition to expanding the successful Quality Jobs Act, House Bill 1 boasts several pro-jobs, pro-growth initiatives. Programs like the Enhanced Enterprise Zone and New Markets tax credit are designed to promote expansion and new job creation. The bill increases the Enhanced Enterprise Zone capacity from $7 million to $14 million and creates a state match for the federal New Markets tax credit which brings investment to economically distressed areas. Background Checks are Critical in Today's Workplace DENVER, CO (PRNewswire), September 2, 2007 - With recent events in the news, the importance of organizations conducting background checks on employees has been magnified. "It is critical for employers to understand who they are hiring," says Lorrie Ray, director of Outsourced Consulting Services at Mountain States Employers Council, Inc. (MSEC). MSEC, a Colorado-based employers association, has 10 researchers dedicated to conducting pre-employment screening for employers. Ray notes, "We help employers prevent major problems down the road, as those who don't do checks can discover they're not really sure who they hired. A simple background check can avoid this." MSEC expects to conduct over 10,000 background checks this year. Of those 10,000, almost 30% receive a hit with some sort of criminal violation or citation. Ray says, "Companies who hire workers through some agencies should make certain that background screenings are done, or they may find out later none were conducted. In addition, there are different levels of background checks, some not as reliable or thorough. And considering that 25% of all applications include at least one major fabrication, screening becomes critical in making everyday hiring decisions." Criminal history, motor vehicle records, employment verification and drug testing are just some of the services that MSEC provides to organizations. Background checks can be conducted on potential hires not only nationwide, but worldwide. MSEC offers a full range of services to employers including: employment law services, human resource consulting, training, and surveys. Founded in Denver in 1939, MSEC members are served by 65 human resource and management development professionals and 35 staff attorneys. Archived: Construction Jobs Booming but Workforce Still Lacks Women and African-Americans Background Checks are Critical in Today's Workplace Butting Heads With the Boss: Speak Your Mind Without Regretting It New Research Shows Remote and Home-Based Employees Feel More Favorably About Company Community-Based Job Training Grants Impact Community and Technical Colleges Federal- and State-Level Minimum Wage Hikes Hurting Teen Job Market Strong Global Economy Boosts Demand for Contingent Tech/Engineering Workers Minimum Wage Increases to $5.85 Office-Based Jobs Can Aggravate Dry-Eye Condition Affecting More Than 20 Million Career Colleges Generate Billions in Annual Economic Impact Female Workers Experience Discrimination or Unfair Treatment at Work Productivity Gains When Friends Work Together Lack of Affordable Housing Near Jobs Becomes Problem for Employers and Employees Low-skilled Labor is Being Forced Out of Job Market Nearly Half of Workers Have Misjudged an Employer's Culture Environment - More Than Jobs - Occupying Minds of Today's College-Bound Students Business Executives Underestimate Link Between Workforce Quality and Preschool Education Focus on Preventing Youth Injuries in the Workplace    The Saint Louis Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. 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