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Kander, Wallingford to slash Missouri business fees

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Secretary of State Jason Kander and state Senator Wayne Wallingford (R – Cape Girardeau) are combining forces on legislation to make Missouri business fees the lowest in the nation.

Kander’s office unveiled the plan in a brief press release. Kander’s goal is to make the various fees paid by Missouri citizens when filing a new business with his office streamlined into a single, reduced payment.

Secretary of State Jason Kander
Secretary of State Jason Kander

“[The bill] would reduce or eliminate a number of fees and you’d only retain the small processing fee,” Kander told The Missouri Times. “It won’t affect the services provided by the Secretary of State’s office.”

Kander applauded Wallingford for engaging on the issue, particularly so far ahead of the pre-filing period, which remains months away. Wallingford and Kander intend to begin negotiating with legislative leaders now to give the bill some momentum when lawmakers meet in Jefferson City in January.

“Small businesses want to spend their time and resources creating jobs, not paying fees,” Wallingford said in a statement. “I’m proud to partner with Secretary Kander in this effort, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to cut business fees in the upcoming legislative session.”

“We wanted to begin now to gain support before session begins,” Kander said. “It’s just one part of our overall effort to make this the best state in the country to start a business.”

Kander’s office indicated they would be providing details about the various fees Missourians currently pay and how the new, streamlined process will impact their budget in the near future.