http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/taxproposa_1030.mp3
One republican senator from Southwest Missouri has introduced two tax increases proposals. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
DOYLE CHILDERS SAYS THE BUDGET CRUNCH IS SO BAD, LAWMAKERS WILL HAVE TO CUT SOME VITAL STATE PROGRAMS. AND HE SAYS WITH SO MANY PROGRAMS AT RISK, HE WANTS TO LET VOTERS DECIDE IF THEY'RE WILLING TO RAISE TAXES TO SAVE THE PROGRAMS. CHILDERS HAS FILED TWO TAX INCREASE PROPOSALS...ONE WOULD RAISE THE SALES TAX, THE OTHER WOULD RAISE THE INCOME TAX...BOTH WOULD HAVE TO GO BEFORE VOTERS AND BOTH WOULD END AFTER THREE YEARS. AND THE BUDGET MAY BE PARTICULARLY BAD THIS YEAR, ACCORDING TO CHILDERS, BECAUSE LAST YEAR, LAWMAKERS RELIED ON SOME ONE-TIME REVENUE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET...SINCE THAT MONEY WON'T BE AVAILABLE THIS YEAR, CHILDERS SAYS THE SITUATION WILL BE DIRE. THOUGH CHILDERS IS LIKELY TO FACE OPPOSITION FROM MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY, HE SAYS HE EXPECTS SOME OF THEM WILL CHANGE THEIR MIND WHEN THEY REALIZE THE ONE-TIME MONEY WON'T BE AVAILABLE. WHILE MANY REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS OPPOSE RAISING TAXES TO DEAL WITH THE BUDGET, CHILDERS SAYS HE DOESN'T SEE WHAT'S WRONG WITH LETTING VOTERS DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO RAISE TAXES. CHILDERS ONLY RECENTLY INTRODUCED THESE PROPOSALS...THEY FIRST WILL COME UNDER CONSIDERATION IN A SENATE COMMITTEE.