Thursday, January 18, 2007

Tax Breaks for the Powerless

Rep. Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis) has filed a bill to provide state tax credits to Missourians who suffer financial losses due to extended power outages.

Under the bill, the Missouri Department of Revenue would issue state income tax credits to taxpayers for costs related to power outages at their homes lasting three days or longer. Costs eligible for credits include damage to the home directly caused by an outage, reimbursement for hotel or motel stays and the replacement of spoiled food.

“In the last year alone, tens of thousands of Missourians have been left without power for extended periods on three different occasions,” said Nasheed, D-St. Louis in a press release.

“Many of the affected Missourians lack the resources to cover the financial losses of long-term power outages. In these situations, it is appropriate for the state to provide tax relief. If Missouri can provide millions in tax breaks for sports stadiums and corporate interests, it can afford to provide assistance to storm victims.

No word on how much this proposal would cost. But the credit would be available to anyone who incurred losses due to power outages since Jan. 1, 2006.

The bill is HB 452.

1 comment:

Busplunge said...

wonder if it will include clean up costs?