In our view: Call off the game

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March 17, 2010

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Wed Mar 17, 2010, 09:53 AM CDT

We’re crying foul on proposed new legislation that would let Missouri offer tax incentives for sports tournaments.

In fact, during a time when senior centers and schools are closing, providing incentives to attract sports events is the last idea we would support.

The bill would let Missouri give up to $10 million of tax credits to local organizers of sports events as a way to attract big sports events in the future. Apparently other states are doing the same thing.

Next week Missouri senators plan to look for ways to downsize state government — an idea that’s a good one during any economy. The session is aimed at making large cuts and changes to state government to balance future budgets. Gov. Jay Nixon says $500 million must be trimmed from his proposed budget.

Missouri senators have scheduled a day to examine ideas on how to change state government.

The Senate has received more than 500 suggestions from Missourians on how to solve the state’s budget problems. On March 23, senators will meet in groups of four on issues including education, social programs and tax structure.

Lawmakers and Gov. Nixon have been discussing the need to make large cuts and changes to state government to balance future budgets.

While Republican Sen. Chuck Purgason, of Caulfield, chairman of the Senate committee considering the sports incentives, says the bill is “dead in the water,” we just want to make our readers aware of the “double dribble.”

The state cannot make hard cuts and at the same time even consider putting tax dollars into the hands of professional sports organizations.

We urge our legislators to call “game over” on this one.

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In our view: Call off the game

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