Saturday, July 21, 2007

Icet bids for support in speaker battle


Rep. Allen Icet, R-Wildwood, is taking the case for his election to Speaker of the House to the media, according to an article in today's Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian.
Icet, of course, is opposed by Sen. Ron Richard, R-Joplin, in a race that will be settled this fall, more than a year before current Speaker Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, relinquishes the post:

The Republican-led legislature has enacted strong measures in recent years to deal with civil lawsuits, education funding, Medicaid and workers' compensation, Icet said. He wants to continue that record.

One area that has stymied lawmakers is the state tax code. A major economic development bill loaded with tax breaks was vetoed by Gov. Matt Blunt as too large and lawmakers passed a tax cut for senior citizens that will be phased in over the next five years.

But no comprehensive effort has been undertaken to overhaul all taxes, Icet said. But he also said he's not sure what he'd like to see happen with taxes. "I don't have specific goals on taxes," he said.

He said he likes the idea of a flat tax for the state or perhaps a move to eliminate the state income tax over a number of years.

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