Gov. Jay Nixon didn’t mince words when asked about the earnings tax during a stop at Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley Wednesday.
“It is wrong for the legislature to say to local communities who’ve voted on how they’re going to fund their services to take away after the people have voted the option for them to fund their services that way,” Nixon said.
In 2011, an overwhelming majority of voters in Kansas City and St. Louis supported the earnings tax. State law requires a renewal vote this spring. Meanwhile, mid-Missouri Republican Kurt Schaefer wants to do away with the 1 percent tax.
“It is the wrong policy for the state for these guys to be messing in this area, and they need to quit doing it,” Nixon said.
St. Louis billionaire Rex Sinquefield is considered largely responsible for the anti-earnings tax sentiment. Nixon added that while Sinquefield could support any candidate he wanted, it’s about time Missouri lawmakers limited the amount any person can contribute to a single campaign.
“We have the weakest and worst ethics and campaign finance laws in the country, bar none,” the governor said.
Elle Moxley is a reporter for KCUR. You can reach her on Twitter @ellemoxley.
