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Why are Mo. politicians so riled up about the tax cut bill?

This week Como Explained dives into the tax cut bill the Governor vetoed. It's not dead yet.

We’ve talked about the Republican veto-proof majority on this show before. Well, that’s one of the main causes behind a situation playing out in Jefferson City (and across the state) right now.

Republicans pushed a bill through the legislature this year that would reduce the personal income tax rate by half a percentage point and the corporate rate by three points.  Both would be phased in over the next 10 years. Many Republicans touted the bill as one of their key accomplishments in the 2013 session, and if it becomes law, it will likely be the most noticeable change in the state that comes out of this past session.

But, it was no surprise when Democratic Governor Jay Nixon vetoed the measure. And he didn’t do it quietly.He issued a scathing, 10-part report on why he vetoed the measure, and he’s still talking about it even after the veto. But not because he’s so fuming mad. It’s because of that veto-proof majority. Many analysts think Nixon’s trying to put pressure on Republicans to stop them from joining in on effort to override his veto. The legislature has the opportunity to do so as it re-convenes in September for a veto session, like it does every year.

This week on the podcast, we talk more in-depth about how this measure got passed, and what it would actually do if it is passed.  There’s also a lot of background on why this kind of thing is even an issue in Missouri – hint – it has to do with Kansas City. We also pick apart some of the politics that is being played here, and talk about the chances of the veto override going through.

KBIA's Kristofor Husted joins the podcast this week. Listen to the whole CoMo Explained episode above or (even better!) subscribe on iTunes

Ryan served as the KBIA News Director from February 2011 to September 2023