Friday, May 11, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Praises General Assembly's Action to End Social Security Cut
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt today applauded the Missouri General Assembly for giving final approval of tax relief to Missouri's seniors. The tax cut, House Bill 444, sponsored by House Speaker Rod Jetton, was one of Blunt's top priorities.
"This is a great day for Missouri seniors," Gov. Blunt said. "Today the Missouri General Assembly passed Speaker Jetton's legislation to stop the cut on Social Security benefits for thousands of Missouri seniors. The Social Security tax was a Social Security cut and today's action allows more Missouri seniors to keep their hard earned money. I appreciate Speaker Jetton's leadership on this legislation and I congratulate him on this tremendous accomplishment for Missouri seniors."
"I am extremely happy to be able to get this bill passed this year and end the double taxation on some Missourians," said House Speaker Rod Jetton. "However we were only able to do it in the first place because our economy has turned around and put us in the position that we have budget surpluses to work with. We are always looking for an opportunity to cut unnecessary taxes and return some of the hard earned dollars back to Missourians."
House Bill 444, the Senior Tax Justice Act, provides tax relief to thousands of Missouri's seniors by phasing in the state income tax exemption on Social Security benefits over six years. The legislation would also provide relief for teachers, firefighters, police officers, military personnel, federal employees and railroad workers.