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Mo. Senator proposes flat tax

State Senator Luann Ridgeway (R, Smithville) wants Missouri to dump its state income tax in favor of a consumption tax.
Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
State Senator Luann Ridgeway (R, Smithville) wants Missouri to dump its state income tax in favor of a consumption tax.

With less than a month to go in this year’s legislative session, another proposal is being made to overhaul Missouri’s tax structure.

The resolution would replace the state’s income tax with a sales tax -- and if passed by lawmakers, it would go before Missouri voters next year.

The sponsor, State Senator Luann Ridgeway (R, Smithville), says it would be similar to the consumption tax used in Tennessee.

“Missouri actually lost jobs in 2010," Ridgeway told reporters.  "Tennessee, over the same period, gained jobs…this translates into real dollars, real jobs, for real working Missourians.”

A similar resolution has come up for debate twice this month on the floor of the Missouri House, but has yet to receive first-round approval.  Supporters have less than a month left in the session to get it passed in both chambers. 

Marshal was a political reporter for St. Louis Public Radio until 2018.