The Missouri House passed an income tax cut measure Thursday, which would lower the rate from 5.3% to 4.95%. Democrat Peter Merideth of St. Louis is one of the legislators who voted against the measure.
"Well, here we go again," Merideth said. "Another tax cut for the wealthy. Doesn't do much for working class folks, does absolutely nothing for the lowest income folks and folks on fixed incomes."
Republican Bill Kidd also voted against the measure, saying he believes it would be more impactful to eliminate personal property tax.
"If you really want to impact incomes in peoples live, this tax cut doesn't do it. That's the truth," he said. I'm not sure anyone else is gonna stand up and tell you that today, because unlike the rest of you I don't come back so I can feel free to speak."
Another version of the tax cut was proposed, which would have lowered personal hygiene taxes, made foster care expenses deductible, and cut corporate income taxes. That version was tossed aside. Merideth said Republican leaders are trying to avoid a fair process.
"This was a slick move to prevent amendments from being voted on, yet again, that the majority caucus doesn't want to vote on, or even have the opportunity to debate and discuss," he said.
The income tax cut is one of the main reasons Governor Parson called for a special session -- the other is a farm tax credit bill. The tax cut still requires final passage before it becomes law.
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