State of Missouri Archives: on Tax Reform

Eric Schmitt: Authored two of the largest tax cuts in state history

Previously, Missourians elected Eric as their 46th State Treasurer. Before serving as Treasurer, he was elected twice to represent the state's 15th Senate District as a Missouri Senator where he authored two of the largest tax cuts in state history, championed the landmark legislation to end the unjust practice of taxation by citation and was a stanch defender of life and the Second Amendment. Source: 2021 Missouri Senate campaign website SchmittForSenate.com May 2, 2021

Mike Parson: Cut taxes in 2018 on top of significant 2014 tax cuts

Q: Support cuts in state taxes?

Mike Parson:Yes. Cut income taxes in 2018 on top of significant 2014 tax cuts.

Nicole Galloway: No. As auditor, said, "Years of tax cuts and giveaways" have put state in situation where "downturn will lead to big cuts in education, transportation and other services."

Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race Nov 3, 2020

Nicole Galloway: Years of tax cuts lead to big cuts in services

Q: Support cuts in state taxes?

Nicole Galloway: No. As auditor, said, "Years of tax cuts and giveaways" have put state in situation where "downturn will lead to big cuts in education, transportation and other services."

Mike Parson: Yes. Cut income taxes in 2018 on top of significant 2014 tax cuts.

Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race Nov 3, 2020

Jim Neely: Reduce sales tax on tampons and pads

The Missouri House gave approval on legislation that will reduce the state sales tax on feminine care products. The product would set the tax rate for tampons, pads and other products at 1.2%, significantly down from the current rate of 4.2%. The new rate would match the tax for most foods. The legislation is being sponsored by Rep. Jim Neely, who is running for governor in the primary against Governor Parson. Source: KMOV-TV CBS-4 on Missouri legislative voting record Mar 4, 2020

Mike Parson: Wants legislative approval on big ticket tax expenditures

Mike is committed to fighting for smaller government and protecting Missouri taxpayers from wasteful spending. He sponsored a bill that would prevent future abuses like Governor Nixon's purchase of a $5.6 million plane without legislative approval. He was also the lead sponsor of the effort to prevent Governor Nixon from using bonds to finance new stadium construction without legislative approval. Source: 2018 Missouri Gubernatorial campaign website MikeParson.com Sep 18, 2018

Claire McCaskill: Ad-Watch: Supports middle-class tax cuts, not all tax cuts

[Josh Hawley's TV ad accused McCaskill of opposing tax cuts]. McCaskill's team sent several instances where she did favor middle-class tax cuts.

McCaskill offered GOP tax plan amendments to protect deductions for Missouri's working families.
A press release states McCaskill supported the Working Families Tax Relief Act. Congress' website confirms she cosponsored the act.
McCaskill introduced a bill alongside Republican Senator Susan Collins that would "extend tax cuts for small businesses and American workers."

A McCaskill spokesperson said, "She has a long history of supporting [tax] bills that are really focused on the middle class." A Hawley spokesperson said McCaskill does not favor middle-class tax cuts, because, in another vote, she did not support the Republican tax bill. Source: KOMU-TV-8 Ad-Watch on 2018 Missouri Senate race Feb 27, 2018

Josh Hawley: Ad-Watch: tax plan gives 25%, not 83%, to richest 1%

Claire McCaskill ad claim: Hawley supported the tax plan giving 83 percent of tax benefits to the richest 1 percent of Americans

We found this to be incomplete. A Tax Policy Center analysis shows about 25 percent of tax cuts will go to the top 1 percent in 2025. The amount of tax cuts going to the richest Americans does jump to 83 percent in 2027, but only because most individual income tax changes expire then.

Hawley's team called the attack false in a press release saying, "It's a classic case of politicians using a technically accurate statistic but without the context or explanation it requires."

Source: KOMU-TV-8 Fact-check on 2018 Missouri Senate race Feb 27, 2018

Josh Hawley: Keep deductions for local taxes & 401(k) contributions

Hawley himself, staked out similar parameters: He said he wants passage of a tax reform plan "to provide real tax relief for working people" and changes to parts of the tax code that are currently "rigged" for the rich. When asked about two elements Republicans have floated that Democrats say could hurt middle-class taxpayers--eliminating deductions on state and local taxes paid, and lowering the cap on tax-free contributions to 401k retirement plans--he said he is uncomfortable with both ideas. Source: St. Louis Post Dispatch on 2018 Missouri Senate race Oct 25, 2017

Austin Petersen: 15% flat tax across the board

In a perfect world, we would get rid of the income tax. In the meantime, we need a flat tax--15% across the board: personal, corporate, capital gains, you name it. This is the only way to make the system fair. By establishing a flat tax and eliminating the self-employment tax, we can level the playing field. We must treat small businesses just the same as we do large corporations. Source: 2018 Missouri Senatorial website AustinPetersen.com Oct 1, 2017

Lester Turilli: Freeze state income tax; but Jesus paid His taxes

Q: Your comments on the statement, "Higher taxes on the wealthy"?

A: Missouri needs aÿtax freeze on property tax, income tax, and certain sales tax. ÿPersonal property taxes have risen at anÿunparalleled rate to cost of living. Of course, everyone would enjoy a tax reduction; however,ÿsuch a move requires initial prudence.ÿWith distinctive actions toward decreasing government expenditures, this could happen.ÿIt may surprise some that Jesus paid taxes in Matthew 17:24-27.

Source: Email interview on 2016 Missouri candidacy by OnTheIssues Apr 25, 2016

Eric Greitens: Simplify the tax code; close special interest loopholes

IT'S TIME TO SIMPLIFY THE TAX CODE. I believe Missouri's tax code is too complicated and is rigged to help special interests. It's time to level the playing field for middle class families by reforming the tax code and closing special interest loopholes. Source: 2016 Missouri Governor campaign website EricGreitens.com Oct 9, 2015

Chris Koster: Cut personal income tax, capital gains, and tax on dividends

How business-friendly is Missouri compared to 49 other states? Not as friendly as you may think. The conservative Tax Foundation ranks Missouri 16th nationally. While Missouri waits for the next Boeing to knock at our door, let's agree to act now to place Missouri reliably in the top 10 states in America when it comes to business-friendly policies.

The two most impactful steps lawmakers can take today to create a top 10 business climate are these: cut taxes and expand Medicaid. By trimming Missouri's top individual tax rate from 6 percent, we effectively cut three separate taxes at once: the personal income tax rate, the capital gains tax rate, and Missouri's tax on dividends and interest. Most national rankings analyze these three tax rates separately, so by cutting Missouri's 6 percent tax rate, we will improve in three categories simultaneously.

Source: Koster StLToday.com column: 2016 Missouri gubernatorial race Feb 18, 2014

Jay Nixon: Remove tax credits which are bad returns on investment

A bi-partisan tax credit commission spent four months reviewing Missouri's 61 tax credit programs. They looked at which credits are giving taxpayers a good return on their investment--and which are not. I ask the members of the Legislature to allow this commission to present its recommendations at open hearings in the House and Senate. We should give the commission's report serious and full consideration. Because Missourians work hard for their money. We owe it to taxpayers to make sure they get the best bang for their buck. Creating jobs. Balancing the budget without raising taxes. Investing in the future. Making government smarter and more efficient. All of these things are essential to the well-being of our state. Source: 2011 Missouri State of the State Address Jan 19, 2011

Roy Blunt: Roll back the top tax rates and capital gains

Americans are taxed too much, too often, and according to a code that's far too complicated. And while Washington politicians claim they can spend your money better than you can, the federal government continues to fritter away billions of your dollars each year in the form of waste, abuse, mismanagement, and in some cases: outright fraud.

Congressman Blunt has worked his entire career to limit the size, scope, and inefficiency of the federal government, helping roll back the top tax rates and capital gains to levels we haven't seen in 20 years. At the same time, Blunt has been a leader in Washington demanding of Congress and the Administration a full accounting of resources spent and measures of progress achieved.

Source: Vote-USA.org on 2010 Missouri Senate incumbents Nov 23, 2010

Bob Holden: $2B in tax relief in last 6 years; now tighten our belts

Missourians are enjoying unprecedented tax relief. In total, the combination of tax cuts, tax credits, and tax refunds have returned almost $2 billion to Missouri taxpayers during the past six years. However, the combination of a slowing economy, deep tax cuts, and unexpected mandatory expenses have put stress on our state budget. Therefore, the first priority of this legislative session must be to tighten our belts and deliver a balanced budget. Source: 2001 State of the State speech in Missouri House Chambers Jan 30, 2001

Catherine Hanaway: Decrease income taxes & corporate taxes; support flat tax

Slightly Decrease Corporate taxes
Maintain Status on Gas taxes
Slightly Decrease Income taxes on incomes below $75,000
Slightly Decrease Income taxes on incomes above $75,000
Slightly Decrease Property taxes
Maintain Status on Sales taxes
Do you support a flat tax structure for state income taxes?
A: Yes.

Source: Missouri Legislative 1998 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

Nancy Farmer: Opposes flat-tax structure and majority vote on taxes

Q: Do you support a flat tax structure for state income taxes?
A: No.

Q: Do you support the recent amendment to the Constitution of Missouri that requires all major tax increases be submitted to a vote of the people?
A: No.

Source: 1996 Missouri National Political Awareness Test Jul 2, 1996

The above quotations are from State of Missouri Politicians: Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on Tax Reform. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
*2020 Presidential contenders on Tax Reform:*
	*Democrats running for President:* Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO) V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE) Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC) Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT) Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN) Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ) Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX) Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI) Rep.John Delaney (D-MD) Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA) Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT) CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA) Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Marianne Williamson (D-CA) CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY) *2020 Third Party Candidates:* Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI) CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV) Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI) Howie Hawkins (G-NY) ~~Gov.Gary Johnson~~(L-NM) ~~Howard Schultz~~(I-WA) Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)	*Republicans running for President:* ~~Sen.Ted Cruz~~(R-TX) ~~Gov.Larry Hogan~~ (R-MD) ~~Gov.John Kasich~~(R-OH) V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN) ~~Gov.Mark Sanford~~ (R-SC) Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY) Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL) Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY) *2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:* Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA) Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC) Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK) Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO) Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA) Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL) Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA) Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX) Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA) Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA) Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021