By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Most of the month of July would become a sales tax holiday in the Show-Me State, under a bill given first-round approval by the Missouri House.
The Independence Day Sales Tax Holiday would run from July 4th through the 31st, and it would exempt sales taxes on ALL merchandise and services purchased in Missouri.
It's sponsored by State Representative Mike Sutherland (R, Warrenton).
"It is designed to keep money in people's pockets who are out there struggling in some cases, and also trying to encourage them to get out and shop and get the economy moving again," Sutherland said.
Assistant Minority Floor Leader J.C. Kuessner (D, Eminence) opposes the bill. He says it could cost the state between $145 and $150 million in revenue.
"It would be a big hit on the availability of health care funding...we could restore the full Medicaid program that we had in place, put over 200,000 people back on health care, including children, and have money left over," Kuessner said.
The bill needs one more House vote before being sent to the Missouri Senate.