Politics

Missouri Senate Begins Debate On Nixon's Tax Cut Compromise

St. Louis Public Radio | By Marshall Griffin,

Marshall Griffin

Published March 5, 2014 at 4:48 PM CST

Marshall Griffin/St. Louis Public Radio

The Missouri Senate has begun debate on a compromise tax cut brokered last month between Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, and state Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee's Summit.

The new version of Senate Bill 509 would cut the individual income tax rate in Missouri -- but not until the foundation formula for K-12 schools is fully funded and state revenue grows by an additional $200 million a year. It also calls for overhauling the state's tax credits.

The compromise received a harsh reception on the Senate floor Wednesday. State Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. He told Kraus that he doesn't think Nixon will sign any tax cut bill into law, even if it does meet his demands.

"I don’t think we're evergoing to get an agreement," Schaefer said. "I think the better route, frankly -- and I'm all for a tax cut -- I think the better route is to just determine what we think it should be and pass it."

Kraus responded, "I'mgoing to try to work on getting a bill to the governor's desk that (I believe) he'll sign." Schaefer then interrupted and said, "But I believe that's an impossibility."

Some Senate Democrats also criticized the proposal. Maria Chappelle-Nadal of University City expressed concern that the governor did not seek input from more lawmakers, describing his actions as "playing puppet master."

The bill has been laid aside and debate is expected to resume later.

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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.