Missouri lawmakers pass business truce with Kansas

Missouri lawmakers have passed legislation proposing a truce with Kansas in the intense tax-break battle for businesses in the Kansas City area.

The two states have together waived hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues in recent years by offering specialized incentives for businesses to relocate, sometimes only a few miles across the state border.

The Missouri bill passed early Thursday morning would prohibit incentives for border-jumping businesses in an eight-county Kansas City region that spans both states.

The House voted 144-3 in favor of the measure, which the Senate passed in February. It now heads to Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon’s desk. If signed, it would take effect only if the Kansas Legislature or governor enacts a similar measure within the next two years.

This story was originally published May 15, 2014 at 9:24 AM with the headline "Missouri lawmakers pass business truce with Kansas."