Gov. Blunt proposes $24 million state tax cut for military pensions

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- Military retirees in Missouri may have a state tax cut coming.

Gov. Matt Blunt proposed Monday eliminating the state income tax on military pensions for tens of thousands of veterans in Missouri.

The governor said the measure would eliminate $24 million a year in taxes on military retirees in Missouri.

Blunt unveiled the proposal at a VFW post in Springfield, the first of several statewide stops to promote the tax cut.

Appearing with Blunt were the heads of the veterans affairs committees of the state Senate and House, who both backed the measure.

The governor said state economic growth made the tax break possible without having to cut any programs or raise taxes elsewhere.