In Missouri, targeting the poor has become a sport for the state’s legislative branch and their latest effort will begin with the special session which begins on Tuesday.
Missouri lawmakers are poised to repeal the low-income tax credit that benefits at least 106,000 disabled and elderly residents living in rental housing. The move could save the state $855 million over 15 years, and some lawmakers want to redirect a portion of that money to new tax breaks intended to lure Chinese cargo planes to the St. Louis airport and more businesses to Missouri.

Advocates for the disabled and senior citizens are gearing up to fight the tax-credit repeal. But they may face a tough battle, because the elimination of the so-called “circuit breaker” tax credit for low-income renters is the single largest budgetary savings being proposed to offset the cost of the new business incentives.

Supporters of the special-session proposal contend Missouri must do something dramatic to spur job growth — even if it means less money in the pockets of the poor.

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