93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Missouri’s governor says there’s a path forward for the upcoming special session, which will begin on September 6 in Jefferson City. That’s the day after Labor Day.
Governor Mike Parson (R) has met with state lawmakers and with commodity groups about the special session.
“Today I believe we have that plan, which provides the largest tax cut in the state’s history to every Missourian and gives Missouri’s number one industry the support it deserves,” Parson tells Capitol reporters.
Governor Parson says that under his plan, every Missourian will earn their first $16,000 tax-free and married joint filers will earn their first $32,000 tax-free.
Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) describes the governor’s special session call as an election season ploy “to change the subject after suddenly discovering that eliminating Missourians’ reproductive rights isn’t the winning issue Republicans thought it would be.”
Leader Quade says a cardinal rule of responsible budgeting involves not using temporary revenue to take on permanent expenses.
As for Governor Parson, he says his two priorities will be combined into one bill that will be filed in the Senate. The bill would provide the largest tax cut in state history and would extend farm tax credits for six years, which is a priority for the Bolivar Republican.
“Our call includes creating programs and sunsets for a minimum of six years on key ag tax credits, including meat processing, higher ethanol blend, biodiesel products, urban farming,” Parson says.
Governor Parson says the state’s commodity groups back his special session call, adding that it will help farmers and ranchers along with every taxpaying Missourian.
Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo (D-Independence) says Senate Democrats will review Parson’s plan to ensure it helps working families. Leader Rizzo supported a bipartisan bill the governor vetoed that would have given a $500 check to single filers and a $1,000 check to married couples.
