A Cole County Judge has struck down a piece of legislation which could have big implications for growing high tech businesses in the State of Missouri, and especially in Creve Coeur.

In a decision announced Tuesday morning, Cole County Judge Daniel Green ruled that the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act, or MOSIRA, violated the state constitution, according to the Associated Press. The legislation, which passed during last fall's special legislative session, required the passage of another bill, in this case, a package of tax credit reforms which were tied to bringing a China hub to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. That measure, known together as Aerotropolis, did not pass.

Governor Nixon campaigned for MOSIRA, which would have esablished a fund to help lure high tech businesses to the state, during a pair of appearances at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center campus in Creve Coeur.

Nixon also held a ceremonial signing of the legislation at the facility and at the time, sounded confident that new legislation could be passed during the current session to clarify MOSIRA if necessary.

Danforth Center officials have said MOSIRA would help its cause when it comes to competitively offering incentives to businesses looking for a reason to locate in Missouri over other states.