Passing a bipartisan jobs package is a key priority of an upcoming special session of the Missouri General Assembly.
Gov. Jay Nixon called the special session Aug. 22, and it will begin Sept. 6, according to a news release. In addition to the comprehensive jobs package, other priorities are tax credit reforms and continued fiscal discipline at the state level.
The jobs package is aimed at propelling growth in the science and technology industry and expanding Missouri exports. Specific job-creation priorities are:
- enacting the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act to encourage growth of related businesses in the state;
- enacting the Compete Missouri Initiative to provide additional incentives to attract and retain businesses, streamline training programs and increase efficiencies for business development incentives;
- enacting legislation to increase exports and foreign trade through the development of an international air cargo hub at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport; and
- enacting legislation to help construct and develop high-tech data centers in the state.
“Passing this bipartisan jobs package will help us continue to move Missouri’s economy forward and create good jobs for folks all across our state,” Nixon said in the release.
Nixon added that the state must be able to pay for these investments in its continued economic growth, which is why tax credit reform and continued fiscal discipline is needed.
“We must protect Missouri’s spotless AAA bond rating and keep the state’s fiscal house in order,” Nixon said.
His call asks the General Assembly to implement a tax credit reform package that would modify or eliminate several tax credit programs that are not producing a substantial return on investment for Missouri taxpayers. The package is based on the work of the Bipartisan Tax Credit Review Commission, which issued a final report in November.
During the special session, legislators also will be asked to consider provisions to increase efficiency for the Missouri Department of Revenue’s collections operations; authorize a brief tax amnesty program in 2012; enact legislation moving Missouri’s presidential primary to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March; and authorize tax credits to attract amateur sports events to Missouri, the release said.[[In-content Ad]]
