The controversial bill to eliminate income taxes in Missouri was passed by the Senate during a late-night session, sparking the ire of residents. Locals criticized both parties, with Republicans seen as the main culprits for pushing the law through too quickly, while Democrats were accused of failing to mount a strong enough opposition.
As reported by the Missouri Independent, soon after proposing a new plan for the tax overhaul, Republicans pushed for the bill’s passage, which was secured in little more than an hour by an 18-11 vote.
According to reports, “Democrats unanimously opposed the proposal, but only one spoke out against it.” Stronger opposition came from within the Republican Party itself, as Senators Joe Nicola, Mike Moon, and Lincoln Hough opposed pushing the bill through so quickly in the middle of the night.
Eliminating personal income taxes is one of Governor Mike Kehoe’s top priorities. In all versions of the bill, the goal is essentially the same: to eliminate income taxes while increasing sales taxes to make up for the lost revenue.
For the legislation to be approved, it still has to pass a final vote in the Missouri House. After that, voters will weigh in on it in November, and the measure could be either approved or rejected by locals then.
Missouri Politicians Slammed As Tax Overhaul Bill Passes Senate
These reports left Missouri residents angry both about how Republicans were seen as pushing the controversial bill without allowing room for discussion and about how weak the Democratic response was. “Democrats didn’t voice opposition because they felt having this on the ballot was favorable to them in the upcoming elections. So… it does feel like ‘we the people’ are being treated as mere pawns,” one Missourian complained.
Others slammed Republicans, saying, “Republicans do great and selfish evil behind the veneer of moral superiority. They worship money and power, not God. Perhaps this will be the act that wakes Missourians up and gets their Republican representatives booted out of office.” Some folks did not seem so hopeful, though. “I can’t believe anyone seriously thought there was a chance of stopping it. When one party controls the government, it can pretty much do whatever it wants,” a local lamented.
Some commenters seemed at a complete loss as to how to even react to these changes. One local said, “This will ruin my business and livelihood. Thanks, Missouri legislature!” Another responded, “Time to leave Missouri and help others leave, too?”
These reactions are understandable given how controversial the tax overhaul is. Most of the criticism surrounding it concerns how it would affect the local economy, as many perceive that it would disproportionately hurt the poorer part of the population rather than the wealthiest.
