Posted on 08/05/2026 5:08:07 AM PDT by Libloather
Missouri voters rejected a ballot measure in Tuesday’s primary election that would’ve abolished state income taxes.
While nine states have phased out individual income taxes, Missouri voters apparently feared an increase in other forms of taxation to make up for the revenue loss.
The measure, Amendment No. 5, was rejected by an 84%-16% vote, with about a fifth of the ballots tallied. Missouri GOP Gov. Mike Kehoe backed eliminating the income tax.
Opponents of the change claimed that the state’s highest earners would’ve benefitted the most, while public areas like schools, prisons and social services would’ve been directly impacted.
Concerns were also expressed about the potential for expanded sales taxes across the state in response to the income tax phase-out.
Currently, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming do not levy any individual income tax.
Roughly 63% of the state’s general revenue in fiscal year 2025 originates from individual income taxes.
Prior to the vote, state Rep. Bishop Davidson — who sponsored the change — did not name a replacement revenue source.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
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Duh ... they pay the most taxes. The lowest earners border on being tax-parasites.
This is stunning.
It looks like the vast majority of the tax slaves enjoy being tax slaves.
Slaveholders throughout history would be green with envy.
Advertising by pro-taxers was non-stop. TV. Youtube. Mailers. The outcome was known prior to the election. But I did not think we would be crushed...
From the article:
“Missouri voters apparently feared an increase in other forms of taxation to make up for the revenue loss.”
I’m of course not a proponent of any tax (especially property taxes) but I think it’s kind of funny to hear people in states with no income tax complain about how high their property taxes and car registrations cost. The state going to get the money from somewhere.
I have lived in Texas. If you don’t pay income tax you pay property tax. When you don’t have income you don’t pay income tax but the property tax goes on even when you don’t have income.
You do have a choice about the price of home you live in though. I have said you live in Texas to work and retire to a low tax state.
The revenue has to come from somewhere.
I just wish Oklahoma would get rid of their stupid 4 or more levels of taxation below 14,000 and simplify taxation to a percentage of federal tax on one card.
I guess, tax the rich is becoming quite popular in the US!
Kind of scary.
The problem with taxes is not taxes themselves, but what they fund. Government is an insatiable beast where money is concerned because it never stops growing. Shrinking the size of government is the answer to most tax problems, and much of what causes societal problems as well.
The problem with “tax the rich” is that the rich are not just sheep who will hang around to get shorn.
They and their businesses are incredibly mobile these days—within states, between states, and between countries.
It is the middle class who cannot make those moves who get fleeced.
The did good because they know if the did vote for it many other taxes would go more then what is needed to make up the difference.
The best way to get this done is through the legislature.
“It looks like the vast majority of the tax slaves enjoy being tax slaves.”
It looks like the vast majority of the tax BENEFITTERS enjoy being tax BENEFITTERS......................
Misery: A state of suffering and want that is the result of poverty or affliction.
The tax leeches may end up worse off—as wealthier folks continue to slowly bleed out of the state to non income tax states.
There are many income tax free states these days to choose from...
—
One unforeseen effect of state income taxes is the businesses that never come to the state at all—or entrepreneurs that never start businesses there but move instead...
It is the tax revenue they never see—but could have gotten—that is the biggest hidden cost to the leeches.
All sales tax increases in Missouri must face the voters. This amendment while abolishing the income tax would have given the legislature five free years to invent new taxes and increase existing ones at will.
The voters would have abolished the income tax if they had been given a limited and defined alternative instead of this undefined “trust us” approach.
But until I see more fiscal responsibility I want to take away as much money from gubmint as possible.
What they don’t tell you is the bill also allowed the state to jack other taxes when ever they wanted
We’d rather pay 2% and have it hard to jack other taxes an 0% and have other taxes go up without our say
The key is how much wasteful spending the government agencies do, because that has to be covered by current taxes or debt. Control spending, control total taxes.
Then you can pick the tax you like to pay for the spending. The only Fair Tax is the tax that taxes you and not me.
States run by Democrats eventually tax themselves into oblivion..............Every time...........
Well, that is one state we won’t move to, now.
I have relatives there, though.
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