Rep. Sharpe Statement On Pending Legislation

State Rep. Greg Sharpe Votes No on Income Tax
Legislation, Warns of Impact on Rural Missouri and Agriculture Recently, the Missouri House approved HJR 173 and 174, a proposed constitutional amendment that would swap the state income tax for higher sales taxes. State Representative Greg Sharpe voted against the measure, citing serious concerns about its impact on Missouri agriculture, rural families, seniors, and the long-term fiscal stability of the state.
“I support responsible, conservative tax reform, and I believe Missourians deserve tax relief that is honest, transparent, and fair,” Rep. Sharpe, R-Ewing, said. “But after reviewing this proposal, it became clear this is not true tax reform. It is a tax shift that moves the burden onto working families who keep Missouri’s agricultural economy running.”
Under the amendment, the state income tax would be phased out over time as state revenues grow. However, Rep. Sharpe said the lost revenue would largely be replaced through higher sales and transaction taxes, creating new costs on the everyday goods and services Missourians rely on.
“For agriculture, this proposal is especially troubling,” Sharpe said. “Farmers and ranchers are already dealing with rising input costs, supply chain pressures, and uncertainty in the markets.
This amendment opens the door to taxing more of the essential services and transactions farming depends on every single day, from equipment repairs and parts to transportation, labor, and other operational costs. That is not tax relief for rural Missouri. That is a heavier burden on the folks in rural Missouri who work in agriculture, the backbone of our economy.”
Sharpe also warned that the proposal would affect Missouri families far beyond the farm gate.
“This would not just impact producers,” he said. “It would hit families every time they pay for car repairs, home maintenance, childcare, medical services, and countless other necessities.
Seniors on fixed incomes, veterans, the disabled, and hardworking Missourians already stretching every dollar would be the ones paying more. The people hurt most by this proposal are the people least able to absorb higher everyday costs.”
Sharpe also raised concerns about the constitutional implications of the amendment and the power it would hand over to future lawmakers. “This amendment gives politicians broad authority to expand taxes on goods and services in the name of eliminating the income tax, while weakening the constitutional protections Missouri taxpayers have relied on for years,” Sharpe said. “Missourians should be very cautious about any proposal that makes it easier for government to reach deeper into their pockets without clear limits or direct accountability.”
Sharpe said the proposal ultimately asks rural Missouri to shoulder too much of the risk.
“It would have been an easy political vote to support something labeled as tax reform,” he said.
“But my job is to look beyond the easy slogan and fight for the people I represent. I cannot support a plan that may benefit some at the top while creating more uncertainty and higher costs for family farmers, small businesses, and working Missourians across our state.”
The amendment now moves to the Missouri Senate.
Representative Greg Sharpe, a Republican, represents the following counties in the Missouri House of Representatives: Lewis, Clark, Knox, Scotland, Schuyler, and part of Adair (District 4).
He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2018. For more information, please contact Rep. Sharpe’s office at 573-751-3644 or by email at Greg.Sharpe@house.mo.gov.