Missouri Fair Tax Measure (2010)

Not on Ballot
This measure did not or will not appear on a ballot

Missouri Fair Tax Measure did not appear on the November 2, 2010 statewide ballot in Missouri as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment. The measure did not garner the required legislative approval as of May 14, 2010, the end of the 2010 legislative session.

The proposed measure called for eliminating income tax and replacing it with a fair sales tax of 5.11 percent. Taxed items would have included retail sales and taxable services. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Ed Emery, who in the past had proposed similar bills but they failed to pass. Currently, Missouri charges a 4.225 percent sales tax, in addition to city and county taxes.

Supporters

The measure was sponsored by Sen. Ed Emery. Other supporters included Sen. Chuck Purgason who said that the measure would give citizens more control over not only taxes but also their expenses. Supporters additionally argued that the measure would save people more money than the currently implemented tax system.

Opponents

Opponents argued that the measure primarily benefited wealthy people rather than middle class or low-income citizens. Additionally they argued that the measure would add taxes to items not currently taxed (i.e. daycare and private school).

Path to the ballot

See also: Missouri legislatively-referred constitutional amendments

In order to qualify for the ballot, the measure required approval from both the House and the Senate. However, the measure did not garner the required legislative approval as of May 14, 2010, the end of the 2010 legislative session.

See also

• 2010 ballot measures
• Missouri 2010 ballot measures

Additional reading

• Associated Press,"Ethics, abortion remain at end of Mo. Legislature," May 14, 2010