By: Brian Evans

Sadly, there has been a lot of misinformation and flat out lies spread by the tax and spend left… many times posing as Conservatives… in an effort to try and scare and mislead voters into voting against the lowering of taxes in Missouri. Therefore, I would like to clear up some of these intentional and fundamental misconceptions that have been spread by those in favor of big government tax and spending liberals.

Missourians have a rare opportunity to fundamentally reshape our state’s tax system by voting YES on Amendment 5. Rather than continuing to tax hard work and productivity, Amendment 5 offers a path toward not only eliminating Missouri’s state income tax, but in a way that can actually reduce local property and personal property taxes, encourage economic growth, and make our state more competitive and prosperous for future generations.

During a recent interview on KZRG, Amendment 5 sponsor Representative Bishop Davidson explained better than anyone I have heard or talked to so far… as he explained how this proposal is far more than a simple tax cut. He stated…

“In simple terms, it’s a tax reform amendment and the big pieces of that tax reform are eliminating income taxes… creating a more fair, transparent tax system… and reducing local taxes like personal property and real property.”

For decades, Missouri has taxed every paycheck earned by working families. Every raise, every promotion, every hour of overtime has resulted in more income being taken by the government. Amendment 5 seeks to reverse that philosophy by rewarding work instead of penalizing it.

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding Amendment 5 is that it only addresses the elimination of income taxes. However, if you read the actual Amendment… You will quickly realize that personal property and real property tax relief is also a major component of the proposal…. Both taxes of which I am an ardent believer in finding ways to cut… making owning and renting a home more affordable! Mr. Davidson explained how…

“If local municipalities get new dollars, they have to roll back their property tax rates to accommodate those new dollars.

He added…

“Therefore, instead of allowing local governments simply to collect more revenue, Amendment 5 creates a mechanism requiring additional revenues to be used to reduce residents’ local property and personal property tax rates. For homeowners, renters, farmers, and businesses facing rising property taxes, this could provide meaningful long-term relief.

Secondly, critics of Amendment 5 have falsely suggested the amendment gives lawmakers unlimited authority to expand sales taxes. Davidson directly addressed that concern, stating…

“It allows the legislature to have a very guardrailed, narrow conversation for the purpose of eliminating income taxes and reducing local tax rates.”

In other words, Amendment 5 does not automatically tax new goods or services. Instead, it establishes a carefully limited framework allowing the Legislature to consider reforms specifically tied to eliminating the income tax and reducing local taxes.

Representative Davidson also points out how Missouri’s current tax system is fundamentally unfair. He noted how…

“We only tax 30 percent of the economy, but people consume 100 percent of their income, and we tax 100 percent of their income.”

His point is straightforward: nearly every dollar Missourians earn is subject to income tax, regardless of how they spend it. Amendment 5 seeks to create a broader, more balanced tax structure while removing the direct tax on wages and salaries.

Perhaps Davidson’s strongest economic argument is summarized by noting how lower taxes on income has a proven track record of creating a growth economy! That is because if people and businesses keep more of what they earn, they usually spend more, hire more, and expand more. That can lead to more goods and services in the market, more competition, and potentially lower prices for consumers.In fact, Representative Davidson stated…

“When you tax income, you’re taxing productivity and hard work… Those are the very things that actually build an economy. “History has shown that states with competitive tax climates often attract new businesses, new investments, and new jobs. Therefore, by removing Missouri’s income tax… it would make the state more attractive to employers, increase competition for workers, and ultimately raise wages for Missouri families… in addition to eliminating income taxes and being able to drive down property and personal property taxes.

Rep. Davidson also points out how stronger economic growth benefits consumers in multiple ways. He stated…

“Businesses come in… they’re producing more goods and services, and as you increase the number of goods and services, prices go down.”

As Davidson summarized it by stating…

“This is how you affect affordability from both sides by both increasing wages and decreasing prices.”

In an era where inflation and the cost of living remain major concerns, increasing competition and economic growth could help improve affordability for families across Missouri.Davidson also addressed how some opponents have expressed concern that seniors could pay more under Amendment 5. He did a great job in addressing those concerns… noting how under Amendment 5 language clearly notes how no essentials will have taxes raised whatsoever.

He also noted that Missouri has already eliminated income taxes on Social Security benefits, many public pensions, and capital gains for numerous retirees. More importantly, he emphasized that many seniors support Amendment 5 because they want greater economic opportunities for their children and grandchildren.

As Davidson explained:

“It’s seniors that came and told us that they’d like to see the same benefits for their kids and their grandkids as well.”

Another compelling reason to support Amendment 5 is Missouri’s demographic challenge. Too many young people leave our state seeking better economic opportunities elsewhere. Davidson observed:

“We’re getting older as a state, and that’s because our young people are leaving to find economic opportunities elsewhere.”

Creating a stronger economy with more jobs and higher wages could help reverse that trend and keep future generations building their lives here in Missouri. He also addressed how opponents have claimed that sales tax rates could dramatically increase. Davidson challenged those claims.

“The rate you would be looking at is 4.97 percent.”

He added:

“It’s not 20. It’s not 17. It’s none of the numbers that you’re hearing out there.”

His argument is that many of the alarming figures circulating in public debate simply do not reflect the proposal being discussed. Finally, Davidson reminds Missourians that income taxes already increase the cost of nearly everything we buy.

“Every single good and service has an income tax on it.”

He explained why:

“The doctor’s income tax gets bundled into the price of what you’re paying.”

In other words, income taxes do not simply affect workers… they become embedded throughout the economy and ultimately increase prices for consumers. Eliminating those taxes could reduce hidden costs while encouraging additional investment and growth. In other words… If you pay for a service, those who perform the service figure income tax expenses into their service prices… Therefore, it really isn’t raising taxes on services… But instead it is just making the tax more transparent to the consumer! You can better see what you are paying in taxes. That is something that big government tax and spending liberals don’t want! They love hidden taxes!

Like any major reform, Amendment 5 has generated debate. Opponents argue that expanding the sales tax base creates uncertainty and could shift taxes onto different goods or services in the future. However, those concerns deserve thoughtful consideration. However, Representative Davidson argues that Amendment 5 contains meaningful guardrails, protects essential goods, provides a path to reducing property taxes, and replaces a tax on work with a system designed to reward productivity and economic growth.

Ultimately, the question before Missouri voters is simple: Should we continue taxing every paycheck earned by hardworking Missourians, or should we pursue a tax system designed to encourage work, investment, job creation, and long-term prosperity? A tax structure that can help reduce property taxes and personal property taxes… Thus making the cost of affordable housing more affordable?For those who believe Missouri should reward hard work, attract new businesses, lower property taxes, and build a stronger economy for future generations, the answer is clear.Vote YES on Amendment 5.