Story Published:
May 16, 2008 at 3:49 PM CST
Story Updated:
May 16, 2008 at 4:45 PM CST
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri lawmakers are giving consumers a tax break on energy efficient appliances. Legislation approved on Friday would lift the state sales tax on the first $1,500 of the price for energy certified appliances such as washers, dryers, water heaters, ovens and refrigerators.
The annual "Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday" would run from
April 19 through April 25.
Gov. Matt Blunt proposed the tax break. The House sent the bill
to him Friday by a 137-11 vote. The Senate passed it earlier in the
day, 30-4.
The legislation also would require 10 percent of the money in the
state's maintenance fund for state buildings to go toward energy-efficient projects.
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Lawmakers also approved a bill that makes Internet harassment illegal. The bill is a response to the suicide of a teenager from St. Charles County who was teased over the Internet. It would update state laws against harassment by removing the requirement that the communication be written or by telephone.
Supporters say the bill now covers harassment through computers, text messages and other electronic devices. It now goes to Blunt for approval.
Police said Megan Meier hanged herself in 2006 after being teased on a social networking Web site. A federal grand jury indicted one of the girl’s neighbor on Thursday, and charged her with creating a fake person who harassed Meier.
