Texas Guv Perry Rips Nixon for Tax Cut Veto

(AP) – Texas Gov. Rick Perry waded into Missouri’s political battle over taxes Thursday, endorsing an uphill effort by Republican legislators to override Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto of an income tax cut.

Perry’s backing of the proposed tax cut came on the same day that a Texas marketing group began running a radio ad in Missouri criticizing Nixon’s veto and encouraging Missouri businesses to consider moving to Texas.

The Texas Republican plans to make a personal appearance Aug. 29 in Missouri to tout Texas’ business-friendly environment during events sponsored by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a coalition of groups backing the veto override attempt.

Perry said he also plans to meet with specific Missouri businesses as part of a Texas recruitment effort, though he declined to identify them.

"The veto was a very clear message to the people of Missouri that this administration – the Nixon administration – believes in higher taxes," Perry said in a telephone interview Thursday with The Associated Press.

He added: "I think it’s good for the country to be having a discussion about states competing against each other."

A Nixon spokesman had no immediate comment Thursday about Perry’s remarks or his impending visit.