Anti Tax-Scam Toolkit

HJR 174, sponsored by Speaker Jon Patterson, is the GOP's Tax Scam bill. This is the bill would put the question of whether the state should cut the income tax to voters. But it would also, more importantly, give the state legislature broad authority to raise sales taxes in order to make up for the loss of the income tax.

Don't let them pull this scam on us.

MO2026HJR 174

Proposes a constitutional amendment relating to taxation

Last Action

HCS Reported Do Pass (H)

House • Mar 04, 2026

Latest Version

Introduced

Take action now

What's your district & how can legislators reach you?

Tell us about yourself

Your Message to the legislators

Dear (name and title inserted automatically),

I am writing to urge you to oppose HJR 174, sponsored by Speaker Jon Patterson.

As I understand it, this resolution would give the legislature broad authority to expand and raise sales taxes in order to replace revenue lost from eliminating the state income tax. I do not support shifting the state’s tax burden onto sales taxes, especially on everyday necessities like groceries and gas. That kind of change would disproportionately harm working families and people on fixed incomes.

I am also deeply concerned about the long-term financial stability of the state. If sales taxes are not raised enough to replace income tax revenue, Missouri risks creating massive budget shortfalls that could lead to cuts to essential services or long-term financial instability. My family works hard to balance our household budget, and I expect the state legislature to show the same level of responsibility.

Finally, I am troubled by how this proposal may be presented to voters. If the ballot language focuses only on eliminating the income tax without clearly explaining that sales taxes could be expanded or raised to compensate, that feels misleading. Voters deserve to understand the full consequences of what they are being asked to approve.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask you to oppose HJR 174 and any effort to eliminate the state income tax by shifting costs onto working Missourians.