Tax credits shaping up as major legislative issue

State Sen. Will Kraus introduced a tax credits reform bill Thursday - the 14th Senate bill on that subject, out of 175 proposed laws filed so far this year.

Another 13 tax credit-related bills have been filed in the Missouri House - making the hot-button subject of the past few legislative sessions high on this year's debate list, as well.

"To me, it's the number one issue that we need to address this year," Kraus, R-Lee's Summit, told reporters. "I think we can use that revenue in better forms."

Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, says the tax credits debate is one part of a larger effort to make Missouri a lower-tax, more business-friendly state.