// a href = ./ //

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Missouri House Budget Committee has advanced legislation to abolish a tax credit of up to $750 a year for low-income seniors and disabled people who live in rental housing.

More than 104,000 renters were awarded the credit last year. The proposal would redirect $57 million saved by trimming the tax credit to state health, mental health and social services that may benefit seniors and the disabled.

The budget panel accepted public testimony and approved the legislation Tuesday. Generally, House Republicans were supportive and Democrats were critical.

The measure was factored into the proposed budget approved by the House, and it has been backed by Gov. Jay Nixon.

The Senate passed the bill last month.

The trial continues tomorrow in the case of Trooper the pit bull who was dragged behind a truck for miles along Interstate 55. Investigators say 41-year-old Benetta Johnson allowed the pit bull to be tied to a trailer hitch before the dragging took place in November. Johnson told police that she was attempting to return the dog to her ex-husband, and that her 13-year-old son was supposed to place the dog in the bed of her ex-husband's truck. But instead, the ex unknowingly dragged the pup for several miles. Johnson is expected to testify in her own defense on Thursday. Meanwhile Trooper, who was re-named by the Humane Society, is making a remarkable recovery. 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Gov. Jay Nixon wants to know what modifications to Missouri's Medicaid system may be acceptable to federal health care officials.

Nixon was to talk over the phone Tuesday with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius about a potential Medicaid expansion. Specifically, Nixon wants to know how much flexibility Missouri has to make market-based changes or require co-payments from adults earning up to 138 percent of the poverty level, which is about $27,000 annually for a family of three.

Sebelius has said previously that states must expand Medicaid to that level in order to qualify for full federal funding.

Earlier Tuesday, Nixon met with Republican senators about a Medicaid expansion. He says it was a substantive, thoughtful discussion.

So far, however, Republicans have been reluctant to embrace the Medicaid expansion.