Politics

Angel Investment Tax Credit Measure Being Considered By Mo. Senate Committee

St. Louis Public Radio | By Marshall Griffin,

Marshall Griffin

Published February 27, 2013 at 10:19 PM CST

Supporters of creating a so-called “Angel Investment” tax credit in Missouri testified in favor of legislation Wednesday before a State Senate committee.

Senate Bill 91 would provide incentives to wealthy investors, dubbed “Angels,” who are looking for start-up opportunities, preferably in high-tech and Internet-based businesses. Kansas City Mayor Sly James was one of several witnesses hoping to persuade committee members to approve the bill.

“Every other state that surrounds the state of Missouri, other than Tennessee, offers this program," James said. "Whether you’re in St. Louis or Springfield or Hannibal, wherever entrepreneurs are, the state nearest you outside of this state is offering something that we don’t have.”

A vote on the bill is expected later. Meanwhile, the sponsor, Minority Floor Leader Jolie Justus (D, Kansas City and Callaway County), also had the Angel Investment language added to the wide-ranging tax credit billthat won first-round approval early Wednesday morning in the Missouri Senate. That version contains a six-year sunset and caps incentives at $6 million a year. Justus says those provisions will also be added to the stand-alone version of the bill.

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Marshall Griffin

Missouri Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a proud alumnus of the University of Mississippi (a.k.a., Ole Miss), and has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off the old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Mason, and their cat, Honey.

See stories by Marshall Griffin

Marshall Griffin

St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.