Take Action: Speak Out Against Expansion of Sales Tax

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Speak Out Against Expansion of Sales Tax

Recently, a proposed constitutional amendment to eliminate Missouri’s corporate and personal income taxes and replace them with a radical expansion of the sales tax passed out of a Senate committee. In order to make up the dollars lost by eliminating Missouri’s corporate and personal income taxes, Missouri’s families would have to pay a mega sales tax. Doing so would significantly increase the cost of living as the price of basic necessities like food, , prescription drugs, and gas would go up. In addition, this tax proposal would add to the cost of childcare, nursing homes, and doctor’s visits.

Subject:

Dear [Decision maker's name automatically inserted here],

(Edit Letter Below)

I am writing to ask you to oppose HJR 56 and SJR 29, legislation that would significantly expand the sales tax in Missouri and eliminate the state's corporate and personal income taxes. I feel this change would be detrimental to families in our region and to the economy across Missouri.

While eliminating the income tax can at first seem positive, the changes proposed in HJR 56 and SJR 29 would actually increase the tax burden on most Missouri families and would hurt many local retailers and service providers in our state. Families would find the cost of the services they need--such as childcare, doctor visits, and nursing home stays-- increase dramatically in as a new tax on all services would be implemented under these bills.

In addition, there would be a large increase in the price of all products Missourians purchase, including a new tax on food and prescription drugs, which are not currently taxed, and a doubling of the motor fuel tax. In many parts of the state, shoppers will choose to travel to neighboring states to avoid paying Missouri's tax, putting many of our businesses at a disadvantage and placing the largest burden on residents who live furthest from the state lines.

I urge you to oppose these untested measures, which will tax more services than any other state in our nation. Missouri families cannot survive an increase in our cost of living, especially during this difficult economic time.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]