Senate Leader Pulls Plug on China Hub, Pro-Business Legislation

October 21, 2011 10:21 AM

UPI/Bill Greenblatt

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri Senate leader says he intends to end a special legislative session next week without approving a package of business incentives, that included tax breaks for the China cargo hub.

Lawmakers have been meeting since early September in a special legislative session that is focused on a proposal to pare back some of Missouri’s existing tax credits and create new incentives for international shippers at the St. Louis airport, computer data centers and certain other businesses. But the House and Senate, which are both led by Republicans, have been unable to agree on what to do.

Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer said Friday that he is disappointed no legislation could be passed. Mayer, a Republican from Dexter, says he hopes economic incentives could be passed next year. Senators were scheduled to meet Tuesday.

For the economic development bill, senators want the programs to have sunset dates to control costs. House members have opposed expiration dates, arguing that they allow one senator to kill programs by blocking a vote on reauthorizing them.

Ede Golterman

Expiration dates are ‘death’ sentences for whole categories of tax credits which show as much promise for success, or more, than the big boys-bio-tech and hub. It is not unreasonable for lawmakers to protect them. The only legitimate criteria for public funding is -fast, healthy returns on investments, especially in Missouri.
They change from day to day, from project to project from category to category.