COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri residents who file income taxes would be eligible for a $500 tax credit under a new Republican proposal.

But House Democrats on Tuesday criticized the measure as a tax break that wouldn’t help the state’s poorest.

The proposal by the Republican House budget leader would set aside $1 billion in state funding for the tax credits.

Married couples filing jointly would get $1,000 under the plan.

Democrats had proposed setting aside $100 million to give onetime $1,000 checks to poor families who have struggled with housing or food insecurity.

The Republican-led House voted that measure down.