Will Tax Cuts Hurt Teacher Pay?

Some critics of Governor Mike Parson’s tax cut plan are concerned that Missouri won’t have enough money to continue to increase K-12 teacher pay. The state Senate has approved a bill that would cut the top income tax rate from 5.3-percent to 4.95-percent beginning next year – if the state brings in enough revenue. State Senator Lincoln Hough, a Republican from the Springfield area, responds to those critics. He is the bill sponsor and is expected to take over as the Senate’s Appropriations Committee chairman next year.

The Missouri House Budget Committee is scheduled to consider Hough’s bill and others on Wednesday. The full House is expected to debate tax cut bills on Thursday.