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Tax cuts, health care on tap for Mo. Legislature

A Cole Co. judge declared lawmakers' inability to pass tax credit legislation in the fall rendered a Missouri science investment bill unconstitutional.
David Shane
/
Flickr
A Cole Co. judge declared lawmakers' inability to pass tax credit legislation in the fall rendered a Missouri science investment bill unconstitutional.

Taxes and health care figure to play prominently in Missouri's new legislative session.

The 2013 session kicks off at noon Wednesday and runs through May 17. Republicans will hold overwhelming majorities in both the House and Senate, but the governor's office will still be held by Democrat Jay Nixon.

Republican legislative leaders plan to pursue changes to the state's tax credit programs, as well as income tax cuts for individuals or businesses.

Nixon says he is not focused on further tax cuts. Instead, the governor wants to expand Missouri's Medicaid program to cover more lower-income adults, as envisioned by President Barack Obama's health care law.

Republican lawmakers have expressed opposition to expanding Medicaid.

Nixon is to present his budget and State of the State address Jan. 28.

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