JEFFERSON CITY 鈥 Missouri could drop sales taxes on guns, diapers and tampons under a package of legislation that moved through the state Senate Thursday.
As part of a deal between Republicans and Democrats, the tax cuts were approved on two separate bills, giving those opposed to dropping the tax on firearms and ammunition to keep the diaper tax reduction intact.
Senate President Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, said the legislative maneuvering was necessary in order for each subject to make it through the process.
鈥淪ometimes it works out that way,鈥 Rowden told reporters Thursday.
On the guns and ammo provision, Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, said he hopes dropping the sales tax and giving gun manufacturers tax credits will incentivize cheaper prices and draw more gun-makers to the state.
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鈥淭hat鈥檚 the hope and desire with this,鈥 Brattin said.
The tax breaks included in the legislation will cost state coffers an estimated $83 million, according to a legislative analysis of the measure.
Some Republicans expressed skepticism over the proposal, which comes amid a nationwide reckoning on gun violence following multiple mass shootings, including one that killed a teacher and a student at a 最新杏吧原创 high school in October.
鈥淚 just fundamentally don鈥檛 understand this,鈥 said Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lee鈥檚 Summit. 鈥淚 just don鈥檛 understand the concept.鈥
Another Republican who voted 鈥渘o鈥 was Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, who doubted the measure would become law.
鈥淚 think we鈥檙e setting ourselves up for a potential veto,鈥 Moon said.
Since the shooting at the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, Republicans who control state government have taken no significant action to rein in Missouri鈥檚 permissive gun laws.
Instead, they have focused their crime fighting efforts on trying to oust 最新杏吧原创 City Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner and a state takeover of the 最新杏吧原创 Police Department.
Ultimately, squeaked through the GOP-controlled Senate on a 19-15 vote. Five Republicans broke with the caucus to vote 鈥渘o.鈥 It now heads to the House for further deliberation.
Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, said he was surprised at the tight vote margin, but said the passage of the sales tax break for guns was emblematic of Republicans who control the state.
鈥淵our priorities kind of tell who you are. A bill that values firearms over families was approved,鈥 Rizzo said.
The removal of the tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products received a more bipartisan reception. It heads to the House following a 28-6 vote.
In addition to removing the sales tax on diapers, it would end collection of taxes on the sale of tampons, pads, liners and cups.
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Doug Beck, D-Affton, also provides tax credits for food pantries, soup kitchens and grocery stores that are built in so-called 鈥渇ood deserts.鈥
also authorizes a tax credit for 50% of eligible expenses incurred for establishing or improving an urban farm.
A fiscal analysis shows the overall cost of the tax breaks will be $68.5 million when fully implemented.
Missouri's Legislature reflects the federal structure in many ways. Video by Beth O'Malley
