Governor Blunt Signs TRIM/DOR/DNR Efficiency Measure

June 19, 2008 - Governor Matt Blunt today signed HB 1670, legislation sponsored by Rep. Shannon Cooper at the request of the Tax Committee of Associated Industries of Missouri and the Taxpayers Research Institute of Missouri.

The bill will eliminate the unnecessary certification of pollution control equipment as a prerequisite for sales and use tax exemption. AIM/TRIM pushed for the legislation when we found, as a result of ongoing meetings with the Missouri Department of Revenue, the certification served no practical purpose. After further meetings with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Revenue, it was decided that the certification could be eliminated without negative consequence. The elimination of the certification step will save taxpayers money directly when they purchase exempt equipment and machinery to abate air and water pollution. It will also save all taxpayers money through elimination of unnecessary governmental red tape and will result in a modest cost savings to the state.

AIM/TRIM applaud Governor Blunt's signature of this important bill and thank Rep. Shannon Cooper for his sponsorship of yet another taxpayer friendly bill.