By Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
Jefferson City, Mo. – Supporters of scrapping Missouri's income tax and replacing it with an expanded sales tax are renewing their push for the measure in the Missouri Senate.
The sponsor, Chuck Purgason (R, Caulfield), told fellow senators Wednesday that he wants them to study the issue in preparation for floor debate next week. He says switching to a consumption tax would give Missouri's economy a much-needed boost.
"We have a great chance to begin being the magnet for job creation in the state by empowering individuals to make the choices and grow their business with the minimum amount of government interference," Purgason said.
Purgason is also running for the U.S. Senate.
Jim Moody, a Jefferson City-based lobbyist, says such a tax would have a direct, immediate impact on consumers.
"Getting rid of the income tax, you would then start paying consumption tax on rents, food, utilities, prescription drugs, services...it's a far reaching list," Moody said.
If the resolution passes both chambers this session, it would go before Missouri voters in November.