By Antonio D. French
Filed Sunday, August 19, 2007 at 12:42 PM
When it comes to the proposed Land Assemblage Tax Credit, the devil is in the details. Labels: Blairmont, Development, Tax_Credits
A story in today's Post-Dispatch says leaders in the Republican-controlled legislature are confident that a scaled-back version of Governor Matt Blunt's economic development package will pass during the special session which begins tomorrow. Included in that package is the controversial tax credit which as originally passed seemed to include parameters that only one known developer could qualify for.
From Virginia Young's story: Developer Paul J. McKee Jr. has purchased more than 500 tracts of land in and around Old North St. Louis, land that could be used in part to qualify for such tax credits.
Senator Griesheimer may feel differently about McKee's qualifications for sainthood after he watches PubDef's latest video on the St. Charles developer's northside activities. Check back Monday for that special report.
Blunt says the new bill would broaden the program so that more developers could participate. Under the latest draft, the subsidy could go to those who buy at least 50 acres for projects covering at least 75 acres in low-income areas. Up to $10 million in credits could be issued each year until the total hit $95 million.
The sponsor, Sen. John Griesheimer, R-Washington, Mo., said he believed the new proposal satisfies concerns that the program was designed for one man. Griesheimer added that McKee "ought to be nominated for sainthood" for investing in decaying areas of St. Louis.
Lowering the requirement of the acreage needed in order for a developer to qualify for the tax credit is a step in the right direction, said the original Blairmont watchdog, Michael Allen. But at 50 acres, the bill would still make McKee the only likely applicant in Old North St. Louis.
"What we need is a threshold much lower than that, closer to half that number," said Allen. "At 20 to 25 acres, other developers and even established neighborhood organizations could apply and receive these tax credits."
PubDef will be reporting this week from the special session in Jefferson City, following the negotiations as legislators, lobbyists and residents try to reach a compromise.
According to the Post, the Legislature's schedule calls for a House committee to hold a hearing on the bill on Tuesday. The full House will vote Thursday. A Senate hearing will take place Aug. 27 and the full Senate could vote Aug. 29.
7 Comments:
It's good to see some people are trying to get this bill fixed so people with higher morals than Paul McKee can benefit.
8/19/2007 3:12 PM
The trouble is that some people only care about lining their own pockets. That's why parts of the north side continue to look like Berlin after the war. It's time to get these crooks out of politics. How about a few recalls to end the summer!
8/19/2007 5:40 PM
Wasn't Hubbard originally for this. Why the reversal?
8/19/2007 6:15 PM
How in the hell could McKee be nominated for sainthood when his only motive is making money with taxpayers subsidizing it?
8/19/2007 6:45 PM
Well, to the fascists who seem to be running the place, what McKee is doing obviously qualifies for sainthood in their books.
8/19/2007 8:00 PM
How will Maida Coleman vote?
8/20/2007 10:12 PM
i imagine grieshimer doesn't understand urban acreage. after all, as a person with family around his district, i understand that acreage is a commodity in lower demand around franklin county. sometimes they cannot understand the value of the land they sit on in washington MO, much less their downtown our our city. i have met the man in class; he's a devout catholic, but not exactly intelectually curious. nonetheless, i plan on sharing another perspective with ths small town senator this week
8/21/2007 1:55 AM
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