St. Louis mayor speaks at state Capitol in support of China cargo hub

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Intro:	At a Senate hearing over the contentious China cargo hub issue, a St. Louis leader showed up to voice his support for the plan.
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Wrap: And it was none other than the mayor of St. Louis.

Mayor Francis Slay urged lawmakers to vote for 360-million dollars in tax breaks to promote international trade at Lambert Airport.

He says it could bring five thousand permanent jobs to the state.

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Description: "The Chinese are giving us an opportunity to do this. We need to take advantage of it."

But on the other side, several small business owners called the tax breaks unfair because they are focused primarily in the St. Louis area.

The measure now moves on to the Senate.

From the state Capitol, I’m Elizabeth Hagedorn, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	The mayor of St. Louis urged lawmakers at the state Capitol to vote in favor of the China cargo hub legislation.
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Wrap: The issue brought St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay to the bill's public hearing Wednesday night.

Slay urged lawmakers to vote for tax breaks that would be used to promote an international cargo hub at Lambert Airport.

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Description: "If this works, and it may not, but if this works it could create thousands of jobs."

But critics of the bill say having this cargo hub would actually send job oversees.

The Senate is expected to debate the measure today.

From the state Capitol, I’m Elizabeth Hagedorn, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	Tax credits to create an international trade hub in St. Louis have been sent to the Senate for debate.
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Wrap: At a public hearing over the highly debated China cargo hub issue, small business owners spoke out against the plan's tax incentives.

These opponents included business owner Paul Hamby who quoted his 9-year-old-daughter:

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Description: "Why do you all in the committee think it's fair to take money from one individual and give it to another."

On the other side, St. Louis mayor Francis Slay and Kansas City mayor Sly James were there to voice their support for the bill.

They say it will bring jobs to the state and make Missouri more competitive on a world stage.

From the state Capitol, I’m Elizabeth Hagedorn, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.