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Missourians For Tax Justice
P.O. Box 31781
St. Louis, Missouri 63131
314-966-6674
Dear Candidate:
Missourians for Tax Justice is an alliance of organizations and individuals across the state who work together for fair taxes for all Missourians.
We are surveying all state gubernatorial and legislative candidates on one issue -- the sales tax on food. We believe this is an issue of importance to all our citizens, and that voters need to know where candidates stand on it.
We are a nonpartisan organization, and do not endorse candidates. We do work to educate the public on tax issues.
This is some background information regarding the sales tax on food: The general sales tax is the most heavily used tax in Missouri. It provides over one-fourth of the state's revenue and is levied by over 1,500 local governments as well. Sales tax Is inherently regressive (it takes a larger share of the incomes of people with low and moderate incomes than of people with high incomes). But the sales tax can be made less regressive with our choices about what to tax. Missouri is one of only 19 states that still taxes food.
This is the position of Missourians for tax Justice; We strongly
support the total exemption of food from the sales tax in Missouri as a matter of tax policy.
If dependency on food tax revenue to pay for necessary services exists, provisions must be made
for alternative, more equitable, revenue sources.
(Wrong. Provisions should be made to cut government spending.)
The question posed to you is this: If elected, will you support a reduction and gradual elimination of the sales tax on food in Missouri, beginning in 1997?
This question is printed on the enclosed stamped, addressed card. We want to make your participation in this survey as easy as possible.
Results of this candidate survey will be publicized through the news media, and posted on the Internet. Publicized results will include those candidates who do not respond, as well as those who do.
Please mark your answer on the card NOW and return to us immediately. Your reply must be received no later than July 10. Thank you in advance for your participation in this survey.
Sincerely,
Patricia S. Martin, chairperson
Yes. However, you do understand that it is imperative that all taxes be cut for the overall good of our State, and that Mel Carnahan and Margaret Kelly have consistently supported tax increases, especially last April 2, 1996.