Americans For Prosperity-Missouri (AFP-MO), a taxpayer advocacy group, created a petition to retrieve 100,000 signatures over the summer to stonewall the State of Missouri from increasing the tax on gas in October.
Missouri lawmakers decided to raise taxes for the first time since 1992 during their recent legislative session. Many made the argument that the decision lacked a statewide referendum mandated by the constitution of the state.
Under Senate Bill 262, the Missouri tax on a gallon of gasoline will go up by 2.5 cents in October, increasing by 2.5 cents a gallon for each fiscal year until it hits 29 cents per gallon on July 1, 2025. Currently, Missouri residents pay 17 cents per gallon.
“Voters have repeatedly rejected proposed tax increases, yet our legislators voted to increase the gas tax by 75% over the next five years, sidestepping the state constitution’s Hancock Amendment which requires voter approval for tax increases over a certain amount. Lawmakers need to rein in wasteful spending and prioritize existing revenue rather than expecting hardworking families to foot the bill,” said Jeremy Cady, state director of AFP-Missouri.
“Missourians cannot afford to pay more at the pump following the economic hardships due to the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19. We believe taxpayers deserve to have their voices heard on the issue.”
Cady filed a referendum petition with the Secretary of State’s Office seeking to put the recently passed gas tax hike before the people in a November 2022 ballot measure.
The state Chamber of Commerce and supporter of the transit tax, says it may file a lawsuit in support of the legislature's action if it gets to that point.
AFP-MO said it believes in better infrastructure without placing a burden on the taxpayers by using existing revenue and reducing or eliminating spending on wasteful programs. The advocacy group ran a digital ad campaign that opposed SB 262.