Gov. Mike Parson is calling a special session next month to clear up an issue regarding sales tax bills on new cars.
In June, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled in Kehlenbrink v. Director of Revenue that the sale proceeds of only one used vehicle can be applied as a credit on a new car. The Department of Revenue was allowing couples to turn in more than one used vehicle to bring down the sales tax on a new model.
“After reviewing the court’s decision, we’ve decided to call a special session because it’s simply the right thing to do for the people of our state,” Parson said in a statement Wednesday. “The enforcement of this decision would create a financial burden on Missouri taxpayers and unnecessary government red tape that we can proactively prevent.”
According to estimates from the governor, this affects roughly 3,000 Missourians.
Lawmakers will be returning to the Capitol on Sept. 9 to address this sole issue, which coincides with the state’s annual veto session that is scheduled for Sept. 11.
Auditor Nicole Galloway, who announced she was running for governor last week, has encouraged Parson to call a special session to take up school safety instead. Galloway wants the state to fund armed and trained school resource officers for all schools in Missouri.
"There is no greater priority than the safety of our kids,” Galloway said in a statement. “The bipartisan School Safety Task Force provided concrete recommendations in July on ways to protect Missouri schools. As parents bring their children back to school, this issue demands urgent action."
The total cost for summoning lawmakers early wasn’t immediately available. However, since they will be in Jefferson City for the veto session, the cost for taxpayers is expected to be minimal.
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