By Brandon Cone BDN Staff Writer bcone@bransondailynews.com Local and state officials feel a new law that was recently signed into effect will extend the state's tourism season and stands as an example of compromise in government.
Missouri Senate Bill No. 64, which Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder traveled to Branson to sign into law Monday will make it so that school's cannot set their start days any earlier than 10 days prior to Labor Day without holding a public meeting.
The law will not effect the 2007-08 school year, but will take effect before the 2008-09 school year.
"This bill is not only be a real economic benefit for Branson, but the entire state's tourism industry," Kinder said. "This will set a standard that will be used by Missouri schools each year."
Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ross Summers said getting the school start date law passed has been going on for "several long years."
"It's nice to finally see this come to fruition," Summers said. "I think the state's economy as a whole will be much better for it."
Summers said the bill is crucial to the Branson Area especially of the effect students returning to school has on all businesses associated with the tourism industry.
"Every year also immediately when school is back in session, all of our businesses see a drop off," Summers said. "If schools are starting on Aug. 10, then that's two weeks of business we lose."
Kinder added, "In the 60s when I was in school, classes didn't start until the day after Labor Day. But since then school start dates have creeped earlier and earlier, and we hope this will put a stop to that creeping."
State Rep. Maynard Wallace, who handled the bill, introduced by senator Jack Goodman, in the state's House of Representatives, said the law is meant to provide "a framework."
"This still leaves the local control," Wallace said, making mention of provisions set forth in the bill which allow schools to hold a public meeting on their dates prior to being able to set it before the 10-day period.
State Rep. Dennis Wood said the law also had other benefits.
"This will allow for families to spend more time together in the summer and go on vacation together," Wood said. "This also allows for our businesses in the tourism industry which rely on high school-aged employees to keep their workforce a few more weeks."
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