Tax Incentives for Centene

David Nicklaus writes about Centene’s search for a place to expand:

Richard Fleming, president of the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, said he spoke at an RCGA board meeting Thursday about Centene’s importance to St. Louis. Centene CEO Michael Neidorff, a member of the board, was there, and other board members applauded in agreement, Fleming said.

"This company is a valued corporate headquarters," Fleming said. "They’re heavily involved in community activities and philanthropy. We shouldn’t take them for granted; we should make it clear that they’re wanted."

Missouri has already offered Centene $9 million in tax breaks, but according to Centene, that might not be enough now that they can’t use eminent domain to acquire property.

Instead of giving this one corporation a tax cut, why not pass a tax cut for everyone? We want to attract many businesses to Missouri, not just the ones that try to seize property through eminent domain, then threaten to leave when that doesn’t work. An across-the-board tax cut would be more fair to the business owners who don’t seek out special privileges.