MISSOURI TAX STRUCTURE NAMED MOST COMPETITIVE IN SOUTH CENTRAL REGION Missouri has the most competitive tax structure for businesses in the south central region, according to a recent study by Ernst & Young. The study ranked Missouri highest in five of the eight business categories examined. The report examined the effective tax rate, after statutory tax credits, in Arkansas and its seven neighboring states – Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Missouri. Specific taxes evaluated in the report included corporate income taxes, franchise taxes, sales and use taxes on business purchases, and local property taxes. The types of companies considered in the report included corporate headquarters, research and development, manufacturing, food processing, renewable energy, and business support services. Read more… REGISTER NOW! MML LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE February 14-15, 2012 Jefferson City Capitol Plaza Hotel Click for Conference Registration and Agenda information. MML JOINS TWO COALITIONS IN OPPOSITION TO THE EVERYTHING TAX … The Missouri Municipal League has joined forces with Missourians for Fair Taxation and the Coalition for Missouri's Future. Both groups seek to raise awareness of the disastrous effects that a proposed tax restructuring plan that would replace Missouri's income tax with a mega sales tax would have on Missouri citizens and the economy. This ill-conceived tax scheme would create a huge budget shortfall at the state level; shift the tax burden to Missouri's seniors and low-moderate income citizens; and leave municipal income from local sales taxes in limbo. More information on these groups and the reckless everything tax can be found at: http://www.declinetosign.org/, http://www.missouriansforfairtaxation.com/, or http://www.missourifuture.org/. MML LAUNCHES ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM! … The League in conjunction with its new training partner, Strategic Government Resources (SGR) has launched an online training program for municipal officials. Course offerings include: Anger and Stress Management, Embracing Diversity in the Workplace, Local Government 101, Preventing Sexual Harassment, Ethics Training for Local Government, Extraordinary Customer Service, Learning the Language of Multiple Generations, Introduction to Lean Management in Local Government, HIPAA Compliance for Local Government Supervisors, FMLA Compliance Guidelines for Supervisors,  and Red Flag Rule: Identity Theft Protection.  These well-crafted courses can be completed in about one hour, but can be paused and resumed at the user’s own pace. Printable certificates are provided upon attaining a passing grade on the exam at the end of the course. Courses are currently being offered for $39. To get started visit the League’s Online Training page. If you have not received your account information; you may request this information by sending an e-mail to info@mocities.com. Please include your name, title and city in the request along with the e-mail address you would like to use for the account.