Government Affairs
The Missouri Restaurant Association represents the interests of the restaurant and hospitality industry before the Missouri Legislature in Jefferson City with a continual presence at the Capitol. We understand that the legislature has the ability to affect the rates you pay for utilities, the amounts you pay for insurance, the wages you pay employees, and other matters of critical importance to your business.
The Association also advocates for the industry on local and federal issues- something most operators don’t have time for so you can operate in a business climate that is free of unnecessary and excessive mandates, regulations, taxes, and fees.
We’re stronger united
The Chef Coats
Effective representation before the Missouri Legislature is an exercise in diligence and persistence. An integral component of this representation is the continual education of legislators on the importance of Missouri’s restaurants to the overall health of our state economy. This education must necessarily require a consistent presence in Jefferson City, as education should be as gradual as the moon rise, perceptible not in progress but in result.
Toward this end, MRA maintains a continual grassroots presence at the Capitol. We are easy to recognize in chef coats bearing the MRA logo – and it's easy for legislators to remember “the restaurants were here today.”
To find out more about MRA’s grassroots presence in Jefferson City, contact Buddy Lahl by phone, (816) 753-5222 or by email; buddyl@morestaurants.org or join us at Missouri Legislative Day.
Front Row: Mike Garozzo, Vic Allred, Mike Whatley, Greg Hunsucker
Back Row: Bill Teel, Marty Elton, Buddy Lahl, Todd Hulse.
As an effective advocate for the industry, MRA improves the business climate in which restaurants operate, thereby improving your chance to operate successfully and create career opportunities for Missourians in every community across the state. Among the legislative victories MRA has achieved in recent years are the following.
MRA Legislative Victories
Liquor Liability
If not for MRA, restaurants serving liquor by the drink would pay much higher premiums for liquor liability insurance – if they could even find a carrier willing to write coverage in our state. Importantly, the Association also raised the evidentiary standard to “knowingly served a visibly intoxicated person” and stipulated that blood alcohol levels are not legally sufficient to prove visible intoxication.
Minimum Wage
If not for MRA’s efforts on this issue, Missouri’s minimum wage would be progressing toward $15 with no tip credit. MRA has twice passed minimum wage preemption legislation, ensuring one consistent statewide standard for Missouri's wage floor and preventing a confusing patchwork of hundreds of local ordinances.
Sales tax on mandatory gratuities
MRA introduced and passed legislation stipulating that sales tax is not required on mandatory gratuities. MRA successfully argued that tips are taxed as labor and therefore also subjecting them to sales tax was double taxation.
2% Sales tax collection allowance
MRA successfully stalled a repeal of this important provision that allows businesses to retain 2% of sales tax collected as compensation for acting as the tax collector for the state. In preventing the repeal of the 2% sales tax collection allowance, MRA improved the bottom-line of a business by approximately $1,600 for each $1 million in taxable sales.
Sales tax on delivery charges
MRA worked to pass legislation that stipulates sales tax is not required on reasonable delivery fees when such fees are separately stated on the invoice.
Federal tax reform
Working in conjunction with the National Restaurant Association, MRA worked to ensure the FICA Tip Credit was not repealed as part of the recently-passed Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, and that the Act included tax relief for small businesses doing businesses as pass-through entities.
Under-reported cash tips
If not for MRA’s work, restaurants could be held responsible for employees’ personal income tax when the Missouri Department of Revenue's testing methodologies led them to suspect employees had failed to report all their cash tips. Restaurants who had received and paid assessments were given refunds after MRA introduced and passed legislation to prevent DOR from issuing such assessments.
Political Action Committee
MRA’s Political Action Committee raises funds to facilitate the election of a slate of pro-business legislators. Prior to making a contribution to any candidate, the MRA PAC determines that the candidate is favorably disposed to legislation deemed important to the restaurant industry. Once legislators are elected, MRA monitors voting records to determine the extent to which any given legislator is standing with us.
Over the years, MRA PAC has awarded thousands of dollars to pro-business candidates on both sides of the aisle. The funding has come from PAC donations by MRA members in amounts ranging from $25 to $500. It speaks to the fundamental essence of MRA: if everyone pitches in a little, the burden on any one member need not be onerous.
Missouri Restaurant Association
1417 W 47th St.
Kansas City, MO 64112
Phone: (816) 753-5222
MRA Contract Lobbyist
MRA lobbyist Jay Hahn and his team are present at the Capitol in Jefferson City each day the Missouri Legislature is in session.
Jay is a partner and founding member of Hahn | O'Daniel where he oversees government relations, advocacy, strategies and messaging efforts on behalf of Missouri Restaurant Association and other clients.
Prior to founding the firm, Jay served as the Director of Government Relations for the Missouri Optometric Association where he was responsible for developing MOA’s legislative priorities and implementation strategies.
In his free time, Jay enjoys aviation as a hobby. In 2012, he earned his Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot certification. In addition to flying for fun, Jay uses aviation as an advocacy and campaign outreach tool. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Missouri State University. Jay resides in Jefferson City with his wife, Kayla, and daughter, Claire.