The Republican-backed proposal was defeated 83.3% to 16.7% after Democrats argued higher sales taxes would fall hardest on working-class residents while favoring the wealthy.
Missouri voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected a ballot measure that would have begun phasing out the state income tax and allowed lawmakers to broaden sales taxes, dealing a setback to a Republican-backed tax overhaul. The proposal lost by a lopsided 83.3% to 16.7% margin after heavy messaging from Missouri Democrats that a sales-tax increase would hit the working class hardest while delivering a large tax break to wealthy residents. The outcome sets Missouri apart from other Republican-led states that have moved to cut or eliminate individual income taxes, even as some blue states continue to pursue higher rates on top earners, typically those making more than $1 million a year.