By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Lawmakers will return to Jefferson City August 20th for a special session, primarily to pass a smaller version of a tax credit bill Governor Blunt vetoed last month.
The revamped bill contains $70 million worth of tax breaks, including a land assemblage tax credit that would benefit large developers wanting to build in urban areas. Anyone wanting to use it had to develop between 75 and 100 acres of property.
House Speaker Rod Jetton says the range has been lowered to between 50 and 75 acres, "I really think what we've done here is gonna be copied all over the nation, but I'm more concerned with what it's gonna do to both St. Louis and Kansas City."
Jetton says the expanded eligibility should allow developers in rural areas to take advantage of the land assemblage tax credit. Critics say, however, that it will primarily benefit a St. Louis developer who owns hundreds of parcels on the near north side of the city.
Lawmakers will also address a delay in rewarding a contract to repair over 800 bridges in Missouri.