Jobs creation bill comes under attack from Senate Republicans opposed to tax credits.
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Jobs creation bill comes under attack from Senate Republicans opposed to tax credits.

Date: February 17, 2009
By: Rebecca Beitsch
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB 45

Intro: Gov. Nixon's plan to boost Missouri businesses came under harsh criticism from Senate Republicans opposed to tax breaks.

Rebecca Beitsch (b-EYE-ch) has more from Jefferson City.

RunTime:0:41
OutCue: SOC

Several Missouri Senate Republicans said they are self-confessed recovering tax credit addicts.

So when Gov. Nixon's job creation bill hit the Senate floor, the list of criticisms was a long one. 

Cape Girardeau Senator Jason Crowell complained about the authority given to a board to regulate tax credits.

Actuality:  CROWELL2.WAV
Run Time: 00:14
Description: What I want to see happen quite honestly Senator is I want to see the elimination of the Missouri Development Finance Board. I do not think that we should have an entity out there that can issue tax credits separately and apart from General Assembly approval.

Bill sponsor Republican David Pearce said the bill is Missouri's best bet to create jobs.

From the State Capitol, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.


Intro: Gov. Nixon's plan to boost Missouri businesses came under harsh criticism from Senate Republicans opposed to tax breaks.

Rebecca Beitsch (b-EYE-ch) has more from the State Capitol.

RunTime:0:41
OutCue: SOC

Hearing Republicans speak out against tax breaks doesn't happen that often, but that's exactly what several Missouri Senators did today.

They were all against an economic development bill heavily endorsed by the Democratic governor.

Jackson County Senator Matt Bartle said tax credits to create jobs will start a ripple effect with neighboring states.

Actuality:  BARTLE1.WAV
Run Time: 00:10
Description: And no sooner do we get it passed than Kansas rushes off and they make their program richer, and Arkansas makes their's richer. And guess what the next year we're right back where we started.

Fellow Republican Senator David Pearce sponsors the bill and said the tax breaks are necessary to create jobs.

From the Jefferson City, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.


Intro: Gov. Nixon's plan to boost Missouri businesses came under harsh criticism from Senate Republicans opposed to tax breaks.

Rebecca Beitsch (b-EYE-ch) has more from the capitol.

RunTime:0:42
OutCue: SOC

A number of Senate Republicans who identified themselves as former tax credit addicts, spoke out against lawmakers clawing for them in the Quality Jobs Act.

Cape Girardeau Republican Senator Jason Crowell said he did not want to pick certain tax credits over others, including ones for special interests.

Actuality:  CROWELL1.WAV
Run Time: 00:14
Description: We are picking winners and losers every day in Jefferson City. And I for one will tell you that I am ill equipped to go out there in the economy and say you're going to win, and you're going to lose.

Crowell later introduced 21 amendments on the bill, which could possibly bring each separate tax break up for debate.

Reporting from the capitol, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, 1120 KMOX News.


Intro: Gov. Nixon's plan to boost Missouri businesses came under harsh criticism from Senate Republicans opposed to tax breaks.

Rebecca Beitsch (b-EYE-ch) has more from the State Capitol.

RunTime:0:41
OutCue: SOC

It's not often that you hear republicans speaking out against tax breaks, but a group of Missouri Senators made an exception for a job creation plan strongly supported by the governor. 

They say the breaks are unevenly distributed and play to some special interests. 

Smithville Republican Senator Luann Ridgeway said tax credits to create jobs will start a war with neighboring states.

Actuality:  RIDGEWAY.WAV
Run Time: 00:08
Description: We're in a never ending bidding war with other states to say "Well I can do this tax credit." "Oh yeah I'll see your tax credit, and I'll raise you this tax credit."

One republican Senator introduced 21 amendments to the bill, which will bring each section up for its own debate.

From the Jefferson City, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.