JEFFERSON CITY • Republican lawmakers in the Missouri Legislature are again trying to shut down a program that allows seniors who rent to claim a property tax credit.

Under legislation affecting an estimated 91,000 senior citizens, the so-called “Circuit Breaker” program would be available only to homeowners during the 2019 tax year, saving the state an estimated $52 million. Current law allows renters to qualify for the tax credit if their income is at $27,500 or below if single and $29,500 or below if married. The average credit is about $500.

Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, who is sponsoring the measure, said the state cannot afford the 1970s-era program anymore.

“I’m trying to bring it back to its original intent,” Wallingford said. “We have entered the area of ‘welfare creep.’”

“This, I believe, is a tax credit program that’s been sorely in need of reform for some time,” added Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake Saint Louis.