There are a dozen or more bills dealing with taxes pending in the Missouri legislature this year. The big discussion is a plan to elminate the state income tax. The MO NAACP opposes this effort for one simple reason, the State will still need money to operate and provide services. Even things as simple as maintaining roads and licensing medical professionals require funding. If the state income tax is eliminated, the Federal income tax will still have to be paid and the State will have to raise other taxes in order to make up for the loss. The NAACP has a long standing position against increased sales taxes. Sales taxes hit the poorest families the hardest as it represents a larger portion of their income for the same purchases.

In addition to the elimination of the state income tax, we are also seeing provisions to eliminate property taxes, provide tax credits to a variety of people and companies, and even cut sales taxes on certain products. These may sound like good ideas at first glance, but it is unrealistic and dangerous to continue to cut taxes without a plan to make up the revenue. Schools cannot operate without funds. MO Healthnet cannot operate without funds. Basic services cannot operate without funds. Kansas tried this and suffered for years afterward as they tried to restore their revenue streams. We should learn from our neighbors and not do the same.

You can learn more about the MO Budget and how the proposals could affect our state from MO Budget Project.

Please keep an eye on the tracking lists at the top of this page based on the area of law you are most concerned about. If you want to testify or visit the Capitol, send an email to sharon@jonesadvocacy.com to let us know so we can support your visit.