Missouri judge strikes down new science incentives fund

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri trial judge has struck down a state fund designed to offer state incentives to science or technology companies.

During a special legislative session last fall, lawmakers approved the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act. The measure contained a clause that the law would not take effect without the passage of a separate measure, which was not approved. Those challenging the science fund included the Missouri Roundtable for Life and Missouri Right to Life.

The Jefferson City News Tribune reports Cole County Circuit Judge Dan Green declared the legislation unconstitutional. Green ruled the contingency clause violated the governor's veto power and a requirement that bills contain only one subject.

A spokeswoman for the Missouri Attorney General's office tells 41 Action News they are still reviewing the decision and have no comment on a possible appeal.

In Kansas City, civic leaders and MOSIRA supporters are talking about the decision today. It has been a top economic development priority for the last couple of years.

Local legal experts expected part of the bill to be thrown out, but not the entire bill.

MOSIRA had not yet gone into effect.  Gov. Jay Nixon's budget recommendations for next year include $4 million for the science incentives fund.

But Kansas City leaders have been lobbying hard for it so they can compete with Kansas bioscience incentives that are already in place.

The bill was so important to the Kansas City area that Nixon signed the bill last fall in a ceremony at a Kansas City company, MRI Global.