By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – Lawmakers in Missouri are a step closer to holding a special session this year, after last week's veto of a tax credit bill by Governor Matt Blunt.
House Speaker Rod Jetton met Wednesday with House and Senate economic chairs to see if a smaller version of the bill can be crafted.
"I'm pretty optimistic, based on the conversations and the meetings we've had, that over the next several days and meetings, Senate and House leaders can hopefully come to some agreements on what we can cut out of that bill," Jetton said.
Governor Blunt has said he would call lawmakers back for a special session if they can agree on a smaller tax credit bill.
The version vetoed last week included a provision Blunt says would have given tax incentives to businesses that pay below-average wages and don't provide health coverage for their workers.
Another item would have granted eminent domain rights to a Colorado company that wants to use both current rail tracks and other property to run so-called "historic rail cars" as a tourist attraction.