Top Missouri House and Senate Republicans say today’s meeting with Governor Mike Parson in Jefferson City about the upcoming special session was extremely productive. They’re trying to negotiate a package involving a tax cut and farm tax credit extensions that can receive strong support in both chambers. “Missouri Times” publisher Scott Faughn joined us live in-studio today on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” Scott suggests the governor and Speaker Rob Vescovo (R-Arnold) have had differing viewpoints on the tax cut’s amount:
Missouri’s GOP governor and some legislative Democrats disagree on tax cut’s impact
Missouri lawmakers will return to Jefferson City next week for a special session called by Governor Mike Parson (R). The governor wants the GOP-controlled Legislature to approve the largest tax cut in state history and to approve a six-year extension of farm tax credits.
The governor says Missouri has a record surplus, noting state general revenues are up 20 percent over last year and that sales and use tax money is up 13 percent. Missouri’s current state tax rate is 5.4 percent. It drops to 5.3 percent in January. Governor Parson is asking lawmakers to lower the state tax rate from 5.3 to 4.8 percent.
House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) says Parson’s tax cut plan is fiscally irresponsible. saying it would transform the temporary surplus into a permanent revenue loss. 939 the Eagle asked Governor Parson about Leader Quade’s concerns, during a recent Columbia visit. The governor says Quade’s comments are “political propaganda.”
“We’re funding programs at a higher level than anybody ever has on the state level. When we look at education, higher education, K-12, health care, infrastructure, workforce development, apprenticeships … at the highest levels ever. And we’ve run these numbers and we’re doing to be able to maintain all that,” Parson says.
Leader Quade also says the tax cut will primarily benefit the wealthy. The Missouri Democratic Party says the governor’s plan calls for a $6,000 tax cut to the top one percent, and a $100 tax cut for someone making less than $22,000.
Governor Parson views it differently, saying the tax cut is aimed at giving the people their money back. He says under his plan, every Missourian will earn their first $16,000 tax-free and married joint filers will earn their first $32,000 tax-free. Parson says the tax cut will benefit everyone, tells 939 the Eagle that Missouri will still be able to fund programs at their current level.
“We’re very positive about that. We’ve run the numbers on it. We believe we’re going to be able to sustain this for the long haul. So it’s going to be a great day for all Missourians no matter what class you’re in, no matter where you live. You’re going to get a tax break,” says Parson.
The special session will start on Tuesday September 6, which is the day after Labor Day. Governor Parson says a single bill will be filed in the Senate that includes the tax cut and farm tax credit extension. He hopes for quick passage. The Missouri House is expected to come in the following week.
The annual legislative veto session is Wednesday September 14 in Jefferson City.
Urban agriculture is key component of Missouri governor’s special session call
Columbia’s mayor is supporting Governor Mike Parson’s (R) special session call, saying the tax credit extension for urban farming is critical in Columbia.
Mayor Barbara Buffaloe introduced Governor Parson during his Thursday visit to Clary-Shy park, which is the home of the Columbia Farmers Market.
“When we’re talking about support for urban agriculture, obviously Columbia supports that a lot. And so anything we can do. We’ve already taken advantage of a lot of those tax credits for our MU Health Care Pavilion and our local farmers market. So anything we can do to help build up this campus … because it provides so much for our community,” Buffaloe tells 939 the Eagle.
The Columbia Farmers Market is a year-round producer-only farmers market, with everything produced within a 50-mile radius of Columbia.
Governor Parson wants lawmakers to approve a six-year extension of farm tax credit programs, including the establishment or improvement of urban farming operations.
Mayor Buffaloe supports that, and she also emphasizes that Columbia’s Farmers Market gives back.
“Our agriculture park here provides food for our food pantry, so that those who are having food insecurity can get locally-generated healthy food, fruits and vegetables. And so just having opportunities for that. There’s so much more that goes on here than just what you see,” says Buffaloe.
About 5,000 people attend the Columbia Farmers Market on a normal Saturday.
(AUDIO): State Rep. Nick Schroer discusses President Biden’s vaccine mandate, on the Mike Ferguson Show
State Rep. Nick Schroer (R-O’Fallon) wants Missouri’s governor to call a special session regarding President Biden’s vaccine mandate. Schroer says if Governor Parson doesn’t call one, the Legislature should call themselves into a special session. That’s difficult to do, and Schroer admits he would need support from Democratic lawmakers to do it. Representative Schroer, a …