Governor Maintains Opposition To State Tax Hikes, But Okays Local Increases

Governor Matt Blunt has often discussed his distaste for taxes. He often calls them “job-killing taxes” and has pledged to not raise them during his administration. Yet, his economic development package before the Legislature contains a provision that would allow local communities to raise their sales taxes to fund economic development. Blunt doesn’t see it as a contradiction. He adds that Missouri must compete with other states and communities, which offer attractive incentive packages. Blunt says his provision would allow the voters of local communities to decide whether increased taxes would help them lure business to their town or would be counter-productive.