State Representative Cody Smith wants tax cuts in place for the next tax year and some immediate help for taxpayers, but a bill that would offer tax rebates was vetoed by Governor Mike Parson last session. Parson explained afterwards that he wanted a more long-term solution for Missourians.
Since that veto, Smith said Missouri taxpayers are curious about what's happening.
"The headline that the Governor vetoed a tax cut, they're gonna have a lot of questions," he said "And I think the sooner we go in and legislate, the better."
He added that the rebate bill was the best the legislature could do during the last session, and now he's ready to tackle the permanent tax cuts the Governor is calling for.
"I would love to learn more about what he intends, and will certainly go to Jefferson City optimistically to do just that."
Smith wants the Governor to call the special session around the time of September's veto session so the new rates can be in effect for the next tax season.
He said with a $1.5 billion budget surplus, the state can certainly afford them.
"We are on the backside of the legislative session. It becomes more clear every day from a revenue perspective, from a budgetary perspective, that we can afford a permanent tax cut," he said. "So that's more clear now even that it was some months ago."
Smith and Parson are talking about lowering the top tax rate to below 5%. Smith would still like to see some immediate tax relief as well, like there was in the bill the Governor vetoed.