News

A budget that proposes laying off 20 city workers to help close a $30 million gap is in the hands of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen.

Gov. Jay Nixon has signed legislation to gradually repeal a tax on some Missouri businesses.

The bill reduces Missouri's franchise tax rate over the next several years before repealing it altogether for the 2016 tax year. Nixon signed the measure Tuesday in Kansas City at Boulevard Brewing Co. He said repealing the measure will provide an incentive for companies to move to Missouri.

The state's franchise tax was levied in 1917 and applies to company assets such as buildings and inventory.

The floods affecting southern and southeastern Missouri and towns along the Mississippi River have resulted in hundreds of closed roads in the state, along with neighboring areas in Illinois.

Updated 1:32 p.m. April 26:

The City of Fenton has announced that The River Road in Fenton, Mo. at the intersection of Yarnell Road and Larkin-Williams Road is now closed.

In Missouri:

Former Missouri Republican Party Chairwoman Ann Wagner has taken a step toward a run for Congress.

Wagner said Tuesday that she has set up an exploratory committee for a potential campaign in the 2nd Congressional District in suburban St. Louis. Wagner says her move is based on the likelihood that the 2nd District will be an open seat. The incumbent, Republican U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, has been considering a challenge to Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill.

Corps of Engineers to Decide on Breach of Missouri Levee