The Missouri Senate has endorsed legislation to give food stamp users an incentive to buy healthy foods at farmers markets.
Under the bill advanced Tuesday, the state would create a test program for participating markets where food stamp users could be reimbursed up to $10 per week for buying meat, fruit and vegetables.
The provision was attached to a broader bill that would give a state and local sales tax exemption for goods purchased at farmers markets.
Supporters say the reimbursement program would cut down on obesity in low-income households and reduce costs for obesity-related illnesses.
The bill needs one more affirmative vote before moving to the House.
Senators have also endorsed legislation that could make it cheaper to buy older cars.
The bill given first-round approval Tuesday would exempt decade-old cars with a price under $15,000 from sales taxes on the titling of the motor vehicle. Under the measure, a 2004 model bought in 2014 would be exempt from state and local sales taxes.
The measure is sponsored by Republican Sen. Mike Parson, of Bolivar. Parson says vehicles in service for 10 years have already had taxes paid on them.
The bill needs a second affirmative vote in the Senate before moving to the House.
