JEFFERSON CITY — Senator Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit, raised questions today about the governor’s logic on Senate Bill 509. According to Sen. Kraus, the governor continues to ignore major parts of the bill and simple tax policy facts to create hypotheticals to try to scare legislators away from supporting the bill.
“It continues to amaze me that our governor is unwilling to engage in an honest debate about SB 509,” said Sen. Kraus. “He is picking and choosing parts of the bill to read, just like he wants to pick winners and losers in tax policy. When he championed a $1.7 billion tax cut for one St. Louis company, he gave up any claim to looking out for ‘the average working family.’”
Industry and judicial experts continue to weigh in against the governor’s false claims. Former Supreme Court Justice William Price, the Tax Committee from Associated Industries of Missouri, Certified Public Accountants acting as industry experts, and others have refuted the governor’s attempts to mislead the public.
“The governor is using only part of the bill to fool school districts into believing they will lose revenue,” continued Sen. Kraus. “He completely ignores the triggers and the two-year delay which will produce a minimum of $1 billion in increased revenue. Using those numbers, every school district will see higher revenues.”
Today, the governor cited a “windfall” for the wealthy if SB 509 passes. He again ignored an important part of the bill, the $500 deduction for those making under $20,000. He also ignores that every individual filer receives the same percentage tax rate cut.
“It seems odd that the governor doesn’t understand that those who pay more in taxes will receive more back. We can’t possibly give more back to those who don’t pay now, or those who pay very little,” said Sen. Kraus. “SB 509 helps every tax payer, gives an extra break to low-income taxpayers, and helps small business owners grow their businesses.”
The governor also continues to ignore what he calls the “average working family,” many who own the LLCs, S-Corps and other small businesses and will benefit from SB 509.
“By continually equating small businesses to only lawyers, lobbyists and casinos, the governor is directly slighting the real small businesses that employ 80 percent of Missouri’s workers,” said Sen. Kraus. “Plumbers, electricians, beauty salons, local restaurants, dry cleaners, landscapers, small grocery stores, family farmers and others are usually organized as LLCs. I am shocked that the governor ignores these Missouri businesses in his attempt to discredit this reasonable tax reform.
On the same day that the governor continued his negative campaigning against SB 509, the Missouri Pork Association and the Poultry Federation penned a letter to the governor sharing their support for the bill.
“I am grateful for all the support we have received for SB 509,” said Sen. Kraus. “Citizen groups, business groups, and industry groups are stepping up to support this people’s tax cut. Together, we can work to jump start Missouri’s economic future.”
Sen. Kraus challenged the governor to stop the rhetoric and do the right thing for the people of Missouri.
“The governor should put the interests of Missouri families and small businesses above the interests of a few large companies,” concluded Sen. Kraus. “It is time for the governor to sign the first tax rate cut in almost 100 years.”
For more information on this issue or any of Sen. Kraus’ sponsored legislation, please visit www.senate.mo.gov/kraus. |
