By T. Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, Mo. – Democrat Mariano Favazza says St. Louis needs a new port and the Endangered Species Act needs changing.
The St. Louis Circuit Clerk, who's running for Congress, wants to change the Endangered Species Act so a lawsuit over the Missouri River, for example, could only be filed in a court near the river and not in Washington.
He says court battles over water levels cost the local economy millions.
"You know, you turn the water off you put the water on. You can send a barge today, you can't send one tomorrow. Who in the heck wants to do business with somebody who can't give them consistent service? Nobody," Favazza said.
Favazza also thinks the region needs a new port to better get cargo from barges to trains and trucks. He says barges are more efficient and less polluting than trucks or trains.
Favazza is one of at least four Democrats running for Dick Gephardt's seat in Congress. Dick Gephardt is giving up the seat to run for President.