Missouri Coalition for Historic Preservation and Economic Development

“The Greater St. Louis Labor Council supports legislation that improves the lives of working men and women throughout Missouri by creating employment opportunities,” said the council’s resolution. It urges the Missouri legislature to make no changes in the tax credit program and send the bill to the governor for signature."

Graph prepared by Kathy Sorkin, COO of E.M. Harris Construction from data supplied by clients.

"...Nixon said he saw progress being made in the discussions among senators and between the Senate and House..."I'm cautiously optimistic that next week is going to be a good week for that bill." Reached for comment this afternoon, one of the bill's chief architects, Rep. Tim Flook, outlined several of the compromises being discussed."

"Nobody's going to mess with that thing, if they don't get the tax credits," said McCroskey, who owns Bob McCroskey Real Estate and is the listing agent for several downtown properties. "Just the threat of not having tax credits or capping the tax credits is changing real estate in downtown and older parts of Springfield. ... Would the banker in today's market loan money to a developer who might not get those tax credits?"

Highly unlikely, said Allen Casey, owner of Casey Architecture."

"Simply put, historic tax credits prime the pump for economic development while at the same time preserving our historic roots in ways that are powerful and beneficial."

"Keep in place what has been so important, especially in communities fewer than 100,000 people.

If that is done, the tax credits will continue to provide short and long-term benefits; creating jobs, stabilizing neighborhoods and maintaining ties with the past, which are often integral to the character and identity of a community."

Some Missouri lawmakers are trying to gut the state’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit program, a blow that would cripple a vital economic engine around the state, but particularly in the city of St. Louis.

A group led by Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, is holding Gov. Jay Nixon’s economic stimulus bill hostage, demanding as ransom the radical reordering of a long list of state tax credit subsidies.

 "The group that is out there stealing from us is the historic preservation tax credits, and I'm coming,"

Sen. Brad Lager, R-Maryville, said on Thursday while declaring his desire to place restrictions on the program.

Sponsored by Commerce Bank and Spencer Fane Britt & Browne, LLP, the Missouri Coalition for Historic Preservation & Economic Development Kansas City fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday, March 27, 2008, from 5:30 to 7:30 in Commerce Bank's Walnut Lobby, 922 Walnut, Kansas City, Missouri.  Complimentary parking is available in the Tower Garage, 910 Walnut. 

Senate Bill 898, sponsored by Senator Dan Clemens, was amended by Senator Victor Callahan (D-20th) to include language that would sunset ALL tax credit programs in 2011!

House Bill 1551, sponsored by representative Bryan P. Stevenson (R-128th District) received a do pass vote on February 12, 2008.  It calls for a gradual elimination of the corporate income tax, with full implementation by January 1, 2013.