The cuts will be implemented only if state general revenue grows by at least $150 million a year compared with the high-water mark of the previous three years.

English said in an interview that the tax cuts were needed to help small businesses grow and that the bill had safeguards to protect education. He contended that Nixon had spread “misinformation” about the bill.

Nixon, who has called the bill unaffordable, unfair and reckless, issued a subdued statement Tuesday, saying that it failed to protect education funding and threatened the state’s AAA bond rating.

In his veto message last week, Nixon portrayed the tax cut as benefiting the wealthy.

He said 52 percent of the tax savings would go to the top 7 percent of taxpayers. Meanwhile, a family making the median income of $44,000 a year would receive a tax cut of only $32, Nixon said.

The bill is projected to cut income taxes by $620 million a year by 2022, though Nixon has warned that the tab could be much higher.

The governor contends that unclear wording appears to get rid of state income taxes for about 2.5 million Missourians. He cited a line in the bill that says that the top income tax bracket — which applies to people earning more than $9,000 — will be eliminated.