To be sure, Nixon hasn’t been opposed to all tax credits. As with the proposed St. Louis soccer stadium, Nixon backed tax incentives for a new football stadium in the city, as well as state assistance aimed at boosting the auto industry in Missouri.

With Nixon leaving and Greitens taking the oath of office on Jan. 9, it is unclear how the proposed tax breaks will be handled in crafting a budget blueprint for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Greitens is poised to enter office needing to pare state spending by an estimated $150 million. In addition, a tax cut plan that will reduce tax revenue by a projected $600 million over five years is set to go into effect July 1.

Each dollar offered as a tax credit wipes out a dollar of state income taxes or other business taxes owed. Nixon and his predecessor, Republican Matt Blunt, each wrangled with the rapid growth of tax breaks during their tenures.

Greitens, a political newcomer, has offered few specific proposals when it comes to how he’ll handle the nuts and bolts of the state’s $27 billion budget.

On the campaign trail, the former Navy SEAL said, “I pledge to shrink government, to eliminate waste and fraud, and to act as a budget hawk, who looks after your every dollar.”