Oppose Unregulated Policing & Corporate Power Grabs in Port Authorities

I urge you to stand in opposition to SB715 (Gregory) and HB1346 (Steinmeyer), which dangerously expand the powers of port authorities with minimal oversight, erode accountability, and threaten the rights and resources of Missouri’s most vulnerable communities. These bills represent a reckless consolidation of authority, enabling port authorities to act as unregulated shadow governments. 1. Creation of Unaccountable “Park Rangers” as Armed Police: The bills grant port authorities unchecked power to create armed park rangers—de facto police forces—without requiring an oath to the Constitution. These rangers would wield arrest authority, carry firearms, and enforce laws while operating outside the accountability frameworks governing traditional law enforcement. This is a blatant threat to civil liberties, inviting abuse and over-policing, particularly in communities of color already disproportionately targeted by systemic inequities. 2. Expansion of Corporate Power Over Public Interest: By allowing port authorities to partner with private corporations and acquire property across state lines, these bills prioritize corporate interests over community needs. Port authorities could displace residents, seize land, and fuel gentrification through tax abatements, draining funds from schools, libraries, and essential services. Underserved communities will bear the brunt of this profit-driven dispossession. 3. Erosion of Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency: Raising the competitive bid threshold to $50,000 and permitting arbitrary bid rejections invites corruption, stifles fair competition, and wastes taxpayer dollars. Meanwhile, closed records provisions further obscure decision-making, shielding port authorities from public scrutiny. 4. Constitutional Violations and Autocracy: The bills bypass courts to let port authorities unilaterally levy taxes and alter districts without voter consent, undermining democratic governance. By exempting themselves from constitutional checks, port authorities become autonomous entities answerable to no one—a direct assault on the rule of law. SB715 and HB1346 are a corporate power grab disguised as economic progress. They empower unregulated police, enable land grabs, and prioritize private profit over public good—all while silencing marginalized voices. I urge you to reject these bills. Missouri deserves accountable governance, equitable development, and justice—not authoritarian overreach that sacrifices communities for greed.