Increased sales tax bad for state

On Aug. 5 Missourians will vote on Constitutional Amendment 7. For 10 years this amendment will increase the state's sales tax rate by 0.75 percent in order to fund improvements of roads, bridges and similar projects.

I intend to vote against this tax for the following reasons:

First, sales taxes, even if they exempt food and drugs, are a form of regressive taxation. This means that sales taxes take a larger percentage of a low income person's wages than they take from a person who receives a higher amount of revenue. On a personal level, if the 2017 income tax reductions go into effect and if the Legislature overrides the governor's veto of additional cuts in the income tax, my individual tax burden will not be lessened by even one dime. On the other hand, if the voters pass the transportation sales tax, I will incur a very noticeable increase in what I must pay for the items I purchase.

The trucking companies, whose vehicles cause a significant amount of wear and tear to our state's roads, will not have to pay taxes, which come close to paying for the benefit they receive in having the use of our highways.

If this tax increase passes, Missouri will have the eighth highest state and local sales tax rates in the country. This could cause individuals to shop in other states, which would have a negative impact on the state's economy.

I encourage you to vote against this amendment.

JOHN PIEPHO, Cape Girardeau