Joplin tax relief bill passed with gray areas in defining disasters.
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Joplin tax relief bill passed with gray areas in defining disasters.

Date: September 8, 2011
By: Tong Gao
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
The House's Ways and Means Committee passed Joplin Representative Bill White's natural disaster tax relief bill.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: 

Now that Joplin Representative Bill White's tax relief bill has passed, commercial property destroyed by the Joplin Tornado is one step closer to undergoing another tax assessment this year.

White says this bill is strictly for protection from natural disasters.

Actuality:  WHITE4.WAV
Run Time:  00:05

Description: "The issue of arson wouldn't apply, the issue of accidental fire where the petrol chemical plant at the end of the block blows up."

The definitions of "Natural disaster" and "destroy" are still up in the air.

Actuality:  WHITE2.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "It would be very difficult for me to come up with some sort of universal definition of destroy that would be relevant and applicable across the entire scope of commercial property."

The house committee passed the bill 11-0 and now heads to the House floor.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Tong Gao.