Mike Kehoe: Phasing out income tax would make Missouri more competitive | Opinion

It’s tax season, and as hardworking Missourians in Kansas City and across the state are writing checks to Jefferson City, the Missouri General Assembly has the chance to give voters the choice to end that check for good.

As governor, I trust Missourians to spend their paychecks better than any politician. That is why I support legislation to phase out Missouri’s income tax gradually and enable workers to take control of when and how they pay taxes. The Missouri House has already passed this proposal, and now it’s up to the state Senate to act in support of House Joint Resolution 173/174. If passed, this resolution would give voters the choice to modernize our tax base and create a more solid foundation for growth.

This plan would reduce income tax gradually when revenue growth targets are met, which means changes happen only when the state can afford them. More important, the measure would specifically protect school funding and other essential services while creating a more stable revenue stream for the future.

Phasing out the income tax would make Missouri more competitive, attract jobs and investment, and let workers keep more of what they earn from the start.

We should trust the people. We should let voters decide.

Mike Kehoe is governor of Missouri.