JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Members of the Legislative Black Caucus met with Gov. Jay Nixon in his office today in the first meeting of its kind since Nixon’s election. At the meeting, caucus members addressed diversity issues within Nixon’s cabinet, and secured a promise from the Governor to release the $13 million in tax credits for low-income housing construction projects.
Nixon originally asked the Missouri Housing Development Commission to delay disbursing the funds as part of a larger compromise with Senate Republicans to secure the swift and safe passage of the Boeing incentive package last month. Black caucus members issued a press release not long after the vote to delay the funds chiding Nixon for “punishing” poor and elderly Missourians by slowing down much-needed low-income housing projects.
According to members who were present at the meeting but asked not to be identified discussing it, Nixon agreed not only to release the $13 million in funds, but also to tour LIHTC projects in Kansas City and St. Louis, many of which are represented by members of the black caucus.
“It was a very productive meeting and I’m really glad we had it,” Brandon Ellington, D-Kansas City and Vice Chair of the Black Caucus told The Missouri Times.
Members said the meeting was promising and that Nixon offered strong support for several caucus agenda items, as well as a pledge to explore increasing diversity in his cabinet.
But members also indicated that there was some tension between the Governor and the caucus.
According to those in attendance, Nixon condemned Democrats that attacked his LIHTC funding delay and stood with Republicans in opposition to the move. Black caucus members countered that Nixon had cut a deal with senate Republicans on the tax credits without consulting the black caucus, whose members represent a large portion of the state’s citizens in low income housing.
Nixon could not be immediately reached for comment.
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
