Democrats And Advocacy Group Criticize Upcoming Special Session

Not everyone is onboard with the upcoming special legislative session to lower the state income tax rate and extend agricultural tax breaks. 

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat, says the special session is an election season ploy and calls it a “textbook example of fiscal irresponsibility.” 

Also, the St. Louis-based Missouri Budget Project — which advocates for low-income Missourians — says the current budget surplus is the result of temporary federal funds, and that lowering the tax rate will eventually result in having to make cuts to public schools and social services. 

The group’s C-E-O Amy Blouin also says the proposed bills would primarily benefit the wealthy. 

Governor Mike Parson disagrees, saying – for example – that a senior citizen making 20,000 dollars a year would see a 100% state tax decrease – meaning they would no longer pay any state income tax. 

The special legislative session begins the day after Labor Day, September Sixth.