Bill That Would Repeal Tax Exemptions for Newspapers Passes Through Committee
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Bill That Would Repeal Tax Exemptions for Newspapers Passes Through Committee

Date: March 21, 2012
By: Matt Evans
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 1835

Intro: 
The day after the Missouri House gave first round approval to it's plan for the state's $24 billion budget, a house committee passes a bill aimed at restoring some of the proposed cuts to the blind health care fund.
RunTime:  0:47
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The bill would repeal tax exemptions from newspapers on certain materials used in printing like ink and paper.

The bill sponsor, the House budget chair - Republican Ryan Silvey, says it will generate around $4 million that he plans on putting back into a health care fund for blind Missourians - similar to the one cut out of the budget earlier this year.

Democrat Leonard Hughes says newspapers and free press protect democracy and repealing the tax could be a slippery slope.

Actuality:  HUGHES01.WAV
Run Time:  00:04
Description: "I can't say it's a ball that I'm willing to roll down that hill as it gets bigger and bigger and snowballs."

But Silvey says newspapers don't have the exclusive right to tax exemptions.

Actuality:  SILVEY01.WAV
Run Time:  00:03
Description: "It's not their right to have a sustainable business model."

The bill passed 7 to 5 and will now move on to the full House.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: 
A bill that would repeal tax exemptions for certain materials newspapers use in printing passed through a House committee Wednesday.
RunTime:  0:36
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: House Budget Chair Republican Ryan Silvey says this bill would create around $4 million in state revenue to be put toward a health care plan for blind Missourians - similar to the one that was cut out of the budget earlier this year.

The Publisher of the Hannibal Courier-Post David Stringer says the bill might force newspapers to send their printing business to another state and people close to the border could loose their jobs.

Actuality:  STRING01.WAV
Run Time:  00:02
Description: "By doing this you put their jobs at risk."

The bill passed the Tax Reform Committee by a 7-5 vote.

It will now move on to the full House.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans.