Missouri's four Catholic bishops have issued a joint statement cautioning voters about a proposed constitutional amendment that would replace the state's income tax with expanded sales taxes.
The proposal, known as Amendment 5, is on the ballot for the August 4 primary.
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It was placed there by Republican lawmakers and is a top priority for Governor Mike Kehoe.
The bishops did not explicitly endorse or reject the measure. However, they warned that heavy reliance on sales taxes could disproportionately burden lower-income families.
"Tax systems that rely heavily on regressive forms of taxation, such as sales taxes, should be approached with prudence because they can place a disproportionate burden on those with lower incomes," the bishops said in a joint statement.
The statement was signed by Bishop Ralph O'Donnell of Jefferson City, Bishop James Johnston Jr. of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski of St. Louis, and Bishop Edward Rice of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.
Bishops Call for Exemptions for Charitable Groups
The bishops requested that lawmakers retain tax exemptions for charitable organizations, including food banks, domestic violence shelters, and maternity homes, if the measure passes.
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Governor Kehoe has stated he would not support expanded sales taxes on healthcare, real estate, and agriculture.
However, the language of Amendment 5 does not explicitly exempt those sectors.
The church leaders acknowledged that voters might see the tax overhaul as a way to boost economic prosperity and reduce local property taxes.
"These are legitimate considerations, but they should be weighed alongside the potential effects on those who are most vulnerable," they said.
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Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway argued on KMOX radio that increased sales taxes would not harm residents because individuals can manage their spending to control their tax burden.
