House members put tax credit for the poor on the chopping block

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Intro:	Lawmakers in the state Capitol came into this year vowing to cut tax credits. Now, three months have passed, and one of the first to reach the chopping block is one that benefits poor people.
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Wrap: The House Budget Committee has voted in favor of a bill that would get rid of a property tax credit for low income renters.

Republicans say cutting the credit would bring the state about $57 million in new money and balance the state budget. But Democrats say the poorest of Missourians would pay most of the price.

Democrat Representative Jeremy LaFaver offered amendments to the bill that would have split the tax between renters and property owners, but it was quickly voted down.

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Description: "Clearly, this is not about getting $56.6 million, this is about raising taxes on people who aren't able to speak up for themselves. If it was about needing $56.6 million why wouldn't we go ahead and make a compromise."

The bill is now headed to the House floor.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin.

Intro:	Republicans in the state capitol are trying to balance the budget, and if you are a low-income renter, they might be raising your taxes to do it.
RunTime:	0:46
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The House Budget Committee has voted in favor of a bill that would get rid of a property tax credit for low income renters.

Getting rid of the credit could bring the state $57 million in new money.

Republicans say the state needs the money for balancing the budget. They say it wouldn't directly affect renters as much as it would property owners.

But Democrat Chris Kelly says the measure unfairly targets low income seniors, veterans and people with disabilities.

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Description: "If we share the burden I'm not at all unhappy about that. I'm not even unhappy if the poor have to bear some portion of the burden. But to put the entire burden on the poorest people has a certain aspect of bullying to it."

The bill is now headed to the House floor.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin.