This past week Governor Nixon announced his veto of ten bills, SB 584, SB 612, SB 662, SB 693, SB 727, SB 829, SB 860, HB 1296, HB 1455, and HB 1865, which clarified tax laws and gave Missourians tax relief the General Assembly intended. Many of these bills clarified existing tax law in Missouri state statute or reigned in the sometimes overzealous Missouri Department of Revenue.
One of the vetoed bills, SB 662, simply requires the Department of Revenue notify affected sellers when there is a change or reinterpretation of sales tax law. When the bill was passed, the fiscal note prepared by the State was $0, but now the Governor claims it would cost millions. Several small business owners testified in favor of SB 662, in response to the DOR “reinterpreting” Missouri state law. DOR decided gyms, yoga studios, karate studios, etc. should collect sales tax on memberships but never notified these businesses of its reinterpretation.
Governor Nixon also vetoed bills which directly supports local farmers and healthier living. SB 727 exempted sellers at farmers markets from collecting sales tax as long as the seller made less than $25,000 annually. Farmers markets are a quintessential part of Missouri’s agricultural heritage. They support local farms, and give access to the freshest produce possible. These are not people making outrageous profits, and I think it is unfortunate our Governor is punishing them for their entrepreneurship. This bill also allowed individuals to use SNAP benefits on fresh produce at farmers markets. This not only promotes local produce, but encourages SNAP benefits (paid for by your taxpayer dollars) to be used on healthier food options.
Along with the various other vetoes, the Governor vetoed my HB 1455. I filed this bill on January 16, 2014 at the beginning of session, it was vetted in four different House and Senate committees and both the full House and Senate. It passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 130-13 in the House and 30-0 in the Senate. This bill was a simple measure to put the burden of proof on to the Department of Revenue in state tax disputes. Currently, if a company has over 500 employees or makes over $7 million, the burden of proof is on the company to prove their innocence in a tax dispute. HB 1455 would put the burden of proof on the Department of Revenue, just as is already the case with individuals and businesses with fewer than 500 employees in Missouri. In America a corner stone of our justice system is innocent until proven guilty, and I think this should be true for all taxpayers.
I am disappointed Governor Nixon has chosen, once again, to spread fictitious information about legislation passed by the General Assembly. Our Governor should work with the legislature and engage in discussions for how to improve Missouri. Instead he provides little input while we are in session or alternative solutions for problems such as stagnated economic growth, school transfers, and transportation funding, which are serious and immediate issues. I look forward to the legislature’s veto session in September, where we will have the opportunity to consider overriding the Governor’s vetoes.
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