By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri House on Friday passed a bill that will exempt hundreds of thousands of Missouri seniors from paying state income taxes on Social Security and other retirement benefits.
Democrats criticized the bill as bad public policy; one lawmaker said it would reward people based solely on their age or occupation.
But House Speaker Rod Jetton says the cuts will encourage retirees to stay in Missouri, in addition to attracting new ones.
"You know, I don't want to keep them here just because they buy Cadillacs, or new cars, or spend money on the grandkids," Jetton said. "I want to keep them here because they volunteer to deliver Meals on Wheels, they coach the little league softball team, cook the suppers when there's, someone passes away; these are the people that make our communities better."
The bill now goes to Governor Matt Blunt for his signature.