Missouri lawmakers are preparing to push through a dangerous plan that would phase out the state’s individual income tax—despite the fact that it provides nearly two-thirds of our state’s general revenue. If this plan moves forward without a clear and fair replacement, essential public services could be devastated.

We’ve seen this before. Kansas tried a similar experiment under Governor Sam Brownback. The result? Massive budget shortfalls, school closures, and an economy that flatlined instead of growing. Even Kansas’s Republican-controlled legislature eventually reversed course. Missouri cannot afford to repeat those mistakes.

Governor Mike Kehoe claims Missourians will be better off without income tax—but hasn’t explained how the $10 billion budget hole will be filled. The likely outcome? Higher sales and property taxes, more fees on everyday services, and deep cuts to public schools, road maintenance, Medicaid, public safety, and more.

This isn’t fiscal responsibility—it’s a reckless gamble with Missouri’s future. A tax shift that benefits the wealthy while forcing working families, seniors, and small businesses to pay more through regressive taxes is not tax relief. It’s a shell game.

We call on Missouri lawmakers and Governor Kehoe to immediately halt efforts to eliminate the state’s income tax unless they can guarantee that:

• Public education funding will not be cut
• No increase in sales or property taxes will be used to plug the gap
• A full, independent fiscal analysis is made public before any vote

Missourians deserve transparency and truth—not slogans and magical thinking. We demand a tax policy that supports strong schools, safe roads, and a healthy future for every community in Missouri.

Sign now to stop this harmful tax plan before it’s too late.