JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri officials have overstated the economic benefit of the state's main job-incentive program and have been "woefully inadequate" in verifying businesses are following through on what they say they will do, the state auditor said Monday.

Auditor Tom Schweich gave the Department of Economic Development a "poor" rating for its administration of the Quality Jobs program, the lowest possible ranking. The department disagreed with Schweich's assessment, rejecting virtually all of the auditor's conclusions and recommendations.

The audit of the Quality Jobs program comes as Missouri lawmakers are at loggerheads over the state's tax credit policies, with some preferring to pare back existing initiatives and others seeking to expand incentives to targeted industries. The audit also comes as candidates for the governor's office and Legislature are campaigning on their ability to spur job creation.

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