JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon plans to implement a new law directing state revenues to science and technology companies despite a provision that appears to make the law invalid.
Nixon signed legislation Friday creating a fund to offer incentives to companies that conduct research or make products related to agricultural biotechnology, homeland security, information technology, pharmaceuticals and a variety of other high-tech fields.
The legislation contains a contingency clause making it effective only if a separate economic development bill also passes during a special legislative session. That has not happened. But Nixon says he will take steps to implement the law anyway.
The governor says a court may have to decide if the contingency clause can actually invalidate the law.