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Kander Slams TX Gov. Perry For Trying To 'Steal' Jobs From Missouri

Missouri's Democratic Secretary of State is criticizing the Republican Governor of Texas for an ad campaign encouraging Missouri-based companies to relocate to the Lone Star State.

In one ad, Governor Rick Perry criticizes Missouri Democratic Governor Jay Nixon's veto of House Bill 253, that would've cut income tax rates for individuals and businesses.

"Vetoing a tax cut is the same thing as raising your taxes," Perry said in the ad.  "But there is a state where businesses flourish and jobs are created – Texas."

Missouri's Democratic Secretary of State Jason Kander sent a letter to Perry objecting to the ads.

"There is a huge difference between privately recruiting businesses to come to your state, and publicly running ads and making speeches meant to hurt the economy of another state," Kander said in an interview with St. Louis Public Radio.

The Texas Governor is also scheduled to visit Missouri next week and meet with business leaders and Missouri Chamber officials.

"The fact that a Governor of one state is publicly trying to hurt our state's economy so that he might lure away businesses is obviously wrong," Kander said.  "I just think that he should be working with Texans to create new jobs instead of attempting to steal already-created jobs in Missouri."

Meanwhile, Kander's letter also points out that Perry is seeking $100 million from the Obama Administration for additional health care funding.

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter:  @MarshallGReport

Marshal was a political reporter for St. Louis Public Radio until 2018.