Senator Ben Brown’s Capitol Report for Feb. 13, 2025

Eliminating the State Income Tax

The first weeks of February were productive in Jefferson City. I had the opportunity to advance more of my proposals by presenting them at hearings, and the body started to debate legislation that has advanced out of committees on the Senate floor.

The Senate passed and sent the first bills to the Missouri House of Representatives for their consideration and debated another dozen or so proposals. One of these is a public safety bill I strongly support, Senate Bills 52 & 44. Since fighting crime and increasing safety were a priority outlined by the governor, I’m certain the body will have more deliberations on this proposal in the coming weeks.

According to data I’ve seen, in the last decade, Missouri has experienced one of the slowest rates of population growth since our state's founding. This year, I filed legislation that would provide us with an opportunity to change and reform Missouri’s tax policy in a truly historic way, making us the 10th state in the nation to eliminate the state income tax.

On Feb. 12, the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee I chair heard nearly a dozen Senate bills and joint resolutions aimed at eliminating Missouri’s income tax, including my Senate Bill 151 and SJR 31. Since the proposals shared similar language, they will most likely be consolidated into one bill and one resolution. In addition to eliminating the income tax, this legislation contains a mechanism that would utilize growth to lower the sales tax rate to 4%, as well as gradually reduce and eliminate corporate taxes, reign in state spending and establish a strategic gold and silver reserve. As a safety net, the legislation would include two new funds to facilitate these tax cuts and backfill any budget shortfalls that could be caused as a result. 

I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues, members of the House and the Governor toward this ambitious vision for the future of our state, where Missouri will be looked to as a leader in the region, rather than continuing to lag behind our neighbors. In my opinion, this will send a clear signal to citizens across the country that Missouri is among the best states in the nation to live, work and raise a family.

Common Sense Fixes

On Feb. 3, I presented Senate Bill 62, The Safeguard Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, to the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee. This legislation comes following the overwhelming passage of Amendment 7 last November, which enshrined in the Missouri Constitution that only U.S. citizens can vote. Missourians made it clear where they stand on this issue, and it’s now incumbent upon the Legislature to follow through on this mandate and ensure that it’s enforced. 

Senate Bill 62 accomplishes this by requiring documentary proof of citizenship when a person first registers to vote. The bill also contains provisions aimed at cleaning up existing voter rolls, including one that would require the clerk of each circuit court to submit a monthly list of anyone who identified themselves as a non-citizen in order to be dismissed from jury duty. Finally, voting law violations are to be directly referred to the state’s attorney general’s office. Similar laws have already been enacted in other states, demonstrating the momentum and sense of urgency of this policy. The Legislature has a responsibility to make sure appropriate safeguards for elections are in place and that the will of people will be upheld. 

On Feb. 4, I presented another commonsense proposal to the Senate Education Committee. Senate Bill 63 permits homeschooled students to participate in a school district’s extra-curricular activities. Parents who take on the additional burden and costs of educating their children themselves must still pay the taxes that fund these sports and activities, so it makes sense that their children should have full access. 

Oftentimes, parents must take matters into their own hands because their child’s public school is underperforming. It isn’t fair that these children are denied the enrichment and life skills attained through these activities. Participating in sports was life-changing for me as a child and an integral part of my education. With this bill, I want to make sure all children can play, regardless of where they learn or how they are instructed. I have sponsored this well-supported legislation in the past and look forward to future discussions.

Welcoming Constituents at the Capitol

I had the honor of introducing my good friend and constituent from Owensville, Brandon Duncan, to my colleagues on the Senate floor as he celebrated his birthday on Feb. 4. Brandon has been very engaged in local and state policy for some time and is a frequent visitor to the Capitol. 

February 10 marked the beginning of Missouri FFA Week at the Capitol. Local FFA members, Lydia Kopp, Melanie Mueller, Kristen Buesking and Elaina and Lila Uthlaut, stopped by my office to share their chapters’ goals. 

On February 11, members of the Missouri Farm Bureau, including John Kreter, Chris Rowden and Ron Hardecke, were at the Capitol to advocate and meet with lawmakers. I enjoyed learning about some of their priorities and challenges. 

Also, on February 11, I met with constituents from the Alzheimer’s Association to discuss their legislative priorities for this session.

It’s an honor representing District 26 in the Missouri Senate. If you need assistance with navigating state government or the legislative process, please reach out by calling 573-751-3678 or emailing Ben.Brown@senate.mo.gov.