By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Senate has endorsed restoring a tax break for out-of-state residents who work in Missouri.
The tax deduction was eliminated last year in a bill that cut taxes on retirement benefits.
The move angered Kansas lawmakers, who are threatening to retaliate against Missourians who work in their state.
State Senator Luann Ridgeway (R, Smithville) is sponsoring the bill that would restore the deduction.
"I just checked with the Kansas Legislature as recently as yesterday...they already have a bill that's in a conference committee report and all they have to do is take it up at the end of the month and pass it, and if that bill passes, it is going to raise taxes, without a shadow of a doubt, on our constituents," Ridgeway said.
The Missouri House passed a bill in February that restores the tax deduction.
"This is fair, the reciprocity is fair, it's fair to our taxpayers, it's fair to our constituents, it's fair to our neighbors in Kansas," Ridgeway said.
The bill passed without opposition on a voice vote. It needs one more Senate vote before being sent to the House.
Both chambers must agree on one final version of the bill before sending it to Governor Blunt.