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Missouri Governor Calls For Truce In Economic Border War

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon answers reporters' questions after outlining his proposal to abate the economic border battle with Kansas.
Dan Verbeck
/
KCUR
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon answers reporters' questions after outlining his proposal to abate the economic border battle with Kansas.

MissouriGov. Jay Nixon called for a temporary halt to what’s known as the economic “border war” between Kansas and Missouri Tuesday, in an address to the Greater Kansas City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon answers reporters' questions after outlining his proposal to abate the economic border battle with Kansas.
Credit Dan Verbeck / KCUR
/
KCUR
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon answers reporters' questions after outlining his proposal to abate the economic border battle with Kansas.

Both states have a history of offering incentives to draw companies across state line. Nixon wants a temporary moratorium for the Kansas City metro area.

Nixon said his administration and that of Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback have been negotiating the issue.

When asked the last time he had talked with  Brownback, Nixon hesitated before saying it had been “several short weeks.”

Nixon said offers to draw companies from one side to another have not created new jobs, hampering the ability of the region to compete globally.

"We need all the dollars of our low-tax states to focus on creating an economy of the future right here,” Nixon said.

The border war is unique to the region, said Nixon. He proposed Kansas and Missouri legislatures make the moratorium permanent, to mutual benefit.

Leaders of the Missouri House and Senate were quick to criticize the Governor’s proposal.

House Speaker Tim Jones said in a prepared statement that Nixon has lost Missouri more than 30,000 jobs during his time in office.

“He has done nothing to turn the tide,” said Jones.

Copyright 2021 KCUR 89.3. To see more, visit KCUR 89.3.

Dan has covered Kansas City area news since 1974. He began a career in journalism more than 40 years ago in Chicago’s suburbs. The switch from newspaper to radio came during two years in the U. S. Army, and by 1968 he was firmly convinced that radio was his medium. He has covered breaking news, blizzards, tornadoes & floods. The Federal District Court was his daily beat for years. He was one of the few radio reporters able to continue broadcasting during Hurricane Katrina and it’s immediate aftermath. He concedes KCUR is one of his passions. Dan has been honored by the Missouri Broadcasters’ Association, The Associated Press and United Press International. He is inducted into the hall of fame of the Kansas City Media Professionals. When not covering news, Dan is partial to reading American history and tinkering with an old tractor. His wife Sylvia is his best critic. They have two daughters and a son.
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