(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Another present to the Gun Lobby [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags'] Date: 2023-04-08 Missouri Senate votes to end sales taxes on guns, diapers, pads and tampons. After all, you have to give the dems something to even it out. Copied from the Post Dispatch (paywall) Emphasis mine. JEFFERSON CITY — 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. “Sometimes it works out that way,” 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. “That’s the hope and desire with this,” 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 St. Louis high school in October. “I just fundamentally don’t understand this,” said Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lee’s Summit. “I just don’t understand the concept.” Another Republican who voted “no” was Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, who doubted the measure would become law. “I think we’re setting ourselves up for a potential veto,” 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’s permissive gun laws. Instead, they have focused their crime fighting efforts on trying to oust St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner and a state takeover of the St. Louis Police Department. Ultimately, Senate Bill 131 squeaked through the GOP-controlled Senate on a 19-15 vote. Five Republicans broke with the caucus to vote “no.” 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. “Your priorities kind of tell who you are. A bill that values firearms over families was approved,” 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 “food deserts.” Senate Bill 143 also authorizes a tax credit for 50% of eligible expenses incurred for establishing or improving an urban farm. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/4/8/2162919/-Another-present-to-the-Gun-Lobby Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/