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Nixon Vetoes Bill That Would Eliminate Tax Break For Elderly Renters

Marshall Griffin/St. Louis Public Radio

Governor Jay Nixon (D) has vetoed legislation that would eliminate a tax credit for elderlyMissourianswho 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

Copyright 2021 St. Louis Public Radio. To see more, visit St. Louis Public Radio.

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.
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.