Missouri House of Representatives 144th District Report by Chris Dinkins

Greetings Friends of the 144th Legislative District! Due to session and owning a seasonal business, we never get to take a summer vacation. It was great to finally get a way and relax for a few days. I was able to enjoy a wonderful week with my children and grandchildren at Daytona Beach. As you grandparents know, there is nothing more enjoyable than spending time with the grandkids. While we were there, we took the grandkids to Sea World. They loved seeing the Orcas and Dolphins up close. It was a tiring trip but we had so much fun making memories.

Missouri Stands in Support of Israel

Following a series of tragic and deadly attacks in Israel, leaders from Missouri have reaffirmed our unwavering support for the state's ally in the region. These attacks, carried out by Hamas, a militant political faction of Palestinian Islamic extremists, have resulted in the loss of over 1,000 lives, including at least a dozen Americans.

Missouri has issued statements expressing our support for Israel's right to defend its citizens against these senseless acts of violence and aggression. Simultaneously, we have unequivocally condemned all forms of violence and terrorism.

As Missourians and Americans, we stand in solidarity with the people of Israel during these challenging times. Our hearts and thoughts are with the innocent lives affected by these attacks, and we extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families. While we hope for a peaceful resolution through diplomacy and constructive dialogue, we must not forget the importance of standing alongside our friends and allies. Our unwavering support for Israel serves as a beacon of hope for a brighter and more peaceful future.

May peace prevail, and may the people of Israel find the security and stability they rightly deserve. Missouri and its people stand in steadfast solidarity with our ally as they tirelessly strive to create a more peaceful and stable Middle East.

Special Committee on Earnings Tax Expanded to Evaluate Personal Property Tax Policies

The Missouri House of Representatives' newly established special committee, originally tasked with reviewing earnings taxes in the state, has been given an additional responsibility: the evaluation of Missouri's policies concerning personal property taxes.

Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher unveiled the creation of the Special Interim Committee on the Earnings Tax in August. This month, he has expanded the committee's mandate to encompass the examination of personal property tax policies.

Reducing the tax burden on Missouri's citizens has remained a top priority for the Missouri Legislature. This year, the Missouri General Assembly took steps to alleviate this burden for the state's senior citizens by passing SB 190, a tax relief measure aimed at eliminating state income tax on social security benefits and freezing property taxes for seniors.

In broadening the committee's scope, we hope that by lightening the state's tax load on its citizens, Missouri could enhance its competitiveness in workforce recruitment, support business growth, stimulate local economies, and create expanded opportunities for all residents.

We must acknowledge that the reduction of tax burdens and the lowering of personal property taxes extends beyond economic policy; they reflect our dedication to individual liberty and economic empowerment. By relieving our citizens of undue tax burdens, we unlock their potential to innovate, invest, and foster opportunities for themselves and their communities. It is time to enable our people to retain more of their earnings, as doing so will lead to a more robust, dynamic, and resilient Missouri for all its residents.

An Update on Missouri General Revenue Collections

The net general revenue collections in the state for September of this year decreased by 4.2 percent compared to the same month in 2022, dropping from $1.26 billion to $1.21 billion. For the fiscal year 2024 up to September, net general revenue collections decreased by 2.9 percent compared to the same period in 2022, falling from $3.24 billion to $3.14 billion.

When looking at the breakdown of tax types:

• Individual income tax collections declined by 8.8 percent for the year, going from $2.18 billion to $1.99 billion. They also decreased by 6.3 percent for the month.

• Sales and use tax collections increased by 15.4 percent for the year, rising from $768.0 million to $886.2 million. This marked an 11.1 percent increase for the month.

• Corporate income and corporate franchise tax collections dropped by 8.9 percent for the year, decreasing from $259.7 million to $236.7 million.

• Refunds increased by 14.9 percent for the year, going from $166.3 million to $191.0 million, showing a substantial 28.8 percent increase for the month.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you might have. As your Representative, I am here to assist you however I can. I can be reached by email at Chris.Dinkins@house.mo.gov or by phone at 573-751-2112. Please do not contact me via social media. These messages are easy to overlook and may not be responded to in a timely manner.