By AP / Kelsey Proud, St. Louis Public Radio
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. –
Gov. Jay Nixon is opposing efforts to end a Missouri tax break for some low-income seniors and disabled residents.
A commission appointed by Nixon recently recommended that Missouri no longer grant state income tax credits to seniors and disabled people living in rented homes. But the Missouri Tax Credit Review Commission said the tax break should continue for homeowners.
Commissioners said the tax credit is intended to offset property taxes. They said it makes little sense to give renters the tax break, because the property taxes of their landlord don't have a significant effect on their rental rates.
Nixon said Thursday that he considers the tax break an important consumer protection, and ending it during a challenging economy would not be wise.