Missouri tax amendment to cut income tax faces lawsuit, backlash

A Missouri resident, represented by attorney Chuck Hatfield, filed a lawsuit in Cole County Circuit Court challenging a proposed constitutional amendment that would phase out the state’s individual income tax and allow lawmakers to expand sales taxes. The suit argues the measure violates the state constitution by combining multiple subjects, providing misleading ballot language, and improperly expanding the auditor’s role to set revenue models. The amendment, approved by the legislature and backed by Governor Mike Kehoe, is slated for the November ballot unless the governor moves it to a later election.

Opponents on social media compare the plan to Kansas’s failed tax‑cut experiment, warning that replacing income‑tax revenue with higher sales taxes could create budget shortfalls, burden working‑class residents, and prompt cross‑state shopping. Critics also note that Missouri relies on income taxes for about 65% of its revenue, while sales taxes currently generate roughly 22%. The public backlash and the legal challenge highlight concerns over the fiscal and social impacts of the proposal.