(Hannibal, Mo)--Gov. Jay Nixon defends his veto of House Bill 253, saying one provision of the tax bill would have cost Missourians $200 million dollars.

Nixon stopped at Grand Pharmacy in Hannibal today to discuss reasons for the veto.  He told the crowd gathered in the pharmacy the tax bill would have eliminated the current sales tax exemption on prescription drugs.  Nixon says that component of the comprehensive tax reform bill would have resulted in a 200 million dollar tax increase for Missourians who purchase prescriptions.

Nixon said he thinks many in the legislature didn’t realize the prescription drug tax issue was buried in the comprehensive bill when it was passed.

State Representative Lindell Shumake was among the crowd at the pharmacy.  Shumake says he supported the comprehensive tax reform measure because the net effect was a reduction in the overall tax burden…

The Missouri General Assembly is expected to revisit the tax reform issue when it reconvenes in the fall.  Nixon says if the legislature overrides his veto, the members won't be able to claim they were unaware of the prescription drug tax issue.

 

 

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