JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is considering expanding a special legislative session to include property tax relief for businesses destroyed by the deadly Joplin tornado.
Nixon said Wednesday there is "a solid shot" of including the tax break on the agenda for the legislative session that begins next Tuesday.
A Missouri law already allows property taxes to be pro-rated for people whose homes were destroyed by the tornado. But that option does not currently exist for businesses - meaning they could have to pay property taxes on buildings that no longer are producing income. Nixon said that doesn't seem fair.
State House member Bill White, of Joplin, is among those who have been pushing to include the property tax issue in the special session.