Lambert cargo hub proposals return to Missouri legislature

Intro:	A St. Louis County Republican wants the Gateway to the West to be open for more trade with the far east.
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Wrap: The failed proposal once dubbed "China Hub" is back in the Missouri Senate.

Republican Senator Eric Schmitt's bill allows the state to authorize up to 7.5 million dollars in tax credits each year to companies shipping air cargo.

2.5 billion dollars worth of Missouri cargo was shipped through the air last year.

And Schmitt says it will provide a new avenue for things to come in and go out.

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Description: "This is not moving Wal-Mart down Manchester Road. This is about growin the pie and bringing in stuff we don't have I think that is good for the state."

No one testifed against the bill at a hearing, but lawmakers have been opposed to the proposal in the past because it requires more tax breaks.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Nick Thompson.

Intro:	Governor Jay Nixon called a special session in 2011 to boost Missouri's exports and after a major air transport project failed it's back again.
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Wrap: The proposal once named China hub is back and this time the legislation is penned by St. Louis County Republican Senator Eric Schmitt.

Schmitt's bill would authorize 7.5 million dollars a year in tax credits for international cargo flights at Lambert St. Louis.

Schmitt says the bill allows St. Louis to compete in the region with Chicago.

Missouri Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mehan says busineses will come quickly if the credits are authorized.

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Description: "Once you see that start to happen I think the free market will come in a large way and I think they will see the opportunity and they will jump on it."

No one testified against the bill at a hearing.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Nick Thompson.

Intro:	If it's true the third time is a charm, a plan for an air cargo hub in St. Louis may have a better chance of taking off this year.
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Wrap: The latest proposal would authorize $7.5 million dollars a year in state tax credits for an air cargo hub at Lambert St. Louis.

It's the same idea as China Hub which failed in 2011 and 2012.

Republican St. Louis County Senator Eric Schmitt is sponsoring the legislation and it only provides breaks to air cargo carriers this time.

Democratic St. Louis City Senator Jamilah Nasheed says lighter legislation may move the project along.

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Description: "I think what we have to do is take baby steps. We have to begin to understand that everything cannot happen at once."

No one testified against the bill at a hearing but in past years lawmakers have opposed the measure because they did not want to issue more breaks.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Nick Thompson