State lawmakers return to Jefferson City on Monday for the start of a special legislative session to deal with an economic development bill and bridge improvement legislation. Economic Development Director Greg Steinhoff is focused on the economic legislation which replaces the vetoed House Bill 327 from the regular session – a bill that started out small, but grew into what was referred to as a Christmas Tree bill because it provided tax breaks to so many special interests.
Steinhoff says this scaled down version cuts out a lot, but leaves intact the Governor’s two main wishes: Increasing the annual cap for money spent on the Quality Jobs Program; and increasing tax credits for Enhanced Enterprise Zones.
Legislators will also deal with a bill to fast track the Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Program to repair or replace more than 800 Missouri bridges.