Governor Jay Nixon (D) has vetoed legislation that would eliminate a tax credit for elderly Missourians who rent their homes.
House and Senate Republicans voted to do away with the so-called "Senior Citizens Circuit Breaker" as a means of shoring up funding for the First Steps program, which aids children with developmental disabilities. In his veto letter, Nixon voiced disapproval of using money designated for seniors for other purposes, and stated that the bill contained no tax credit reforms. House Budget Chairman Rick Stream (R, Kirkwood) says scrapping the tax break was the Governor's idea, and he accuses him of "moving the goal posts every time the political winds change."
"Certainly on the Senate Bill 350 issue, that was exactly what happened," Stream said. "We thought we had an agreement with him on that, (but) it came out of the blue when we got wind that he was stepping away from that position."
Stream says they'll find a tax credit reform bill and add the elimination of the senior renters' tax break onto it before the legislative session ends Friday.
Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter: @MarshallGReport
