Show-Me State Times

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry is backing a bill that seeks to enhance the Missouri Works program, a key tax credit initiative in the state. The proposed legislation, SB 1301, sponsored by Sen. Jason Bean, aims to streamline the program by consolidating the limits for withholding taxes and tax credits into a single cap.

Under the current system, the Missouri Works program has separate limits for tax credits and withholding taxes, totaling $181 million in benefits per fiscal year. The new bill would remove these separate caps and introduce a unified cap of $181 million, providing the Department of Economic Development with more flexibility in awarding incentives.

Heidi Geisbuhler Sutherland, the Legislative Affairs Director at the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed support for the proposed changes, stating, “We are a longtime supporter of the Missouri Works program. It’s a great economic tool to help increase the number of jobs in the state, and this legislation will help increase flexibility and decrease administrative burden on the department, which will in turn make the funds more accessible to businesses.”

The Missouri Chamber has been a strong advocate for the Missouri Works program, aligning with the state’s goal of fostering job growth. The program incentivizes job creation by allowing companies to retain a portion of their withholding taxes and providing tax credits to eligible businesses.

For more information on the proposed changes to the Missouri Works program, interested parties can reach out to Heidi Geisbuhler Sutherland at hsutherland@mochamber.com or (573) 634-3511.