Politics

No Support Yet For A Mo. Special Session On Tax Cut Legislation

St. Louis Public Radio | By Marshall Griffin,

Marshall Griffin

Published August 30, 2013 at 4:35 PM CDT

So far, there has not been aground swellof support for the idea of a special legislative session in Missouri to pass an alternate version of the tax cut bill vetoed earlier this year by Governor Jay Nixon (D).

On Thursday, House Bill 253's sponsor, State Representative T.J. Berry (R, Kearney), told the Associated Press that a special session could give lawmakers time to remove language that would make the tax cuts retroactive to prior years. House and Senate GOP leaders have so far made no public comments on Berry's request. The bill's Senate sponsor, Republican Will Kraus of Lee's Summit, says he's open to the idea of a special session, but would prefer to override Nixon's veto.

"It'd be my desire to take care of tax policy sooner (rather) than later," Kraus said. "We have businesses making decisions every day on whether they'regonnastay in Missouri, or come to Missouri, or go to another state."

Kraus says, though, that they never intended to raise taxes on prescription drugs or textbooks, and that a special session would give them the chance to clean up that particular language. Meanwhile, a spokesman for Governor Nixon says they have "no comment" on the possibility of a special session next month.

Missouri's veto session is set for September 11th.

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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.