TAXPAYERS: YOUR CHECK IS IN THE MAIL -- FIINALLY

Finally, the Missouri Supreme Court has ordered the state to issue refund checks to some 2 million taxpayers because annual revenue since 1995 has exceeded limits set on growth in state income.

Many of those taxpayers were among the supporters of the Hancock Amendment in 1980. The constitutional amendment controls the growth of state revenue by tying it to the growth of personal incomes.

The state has known for a couple of years that it exceeded the Hancock ceiling in 1995, and the cap was topped again in 1996. State officials expect collections for 1997 also will require refunds.

At issue in the Supreme Court was whether or not low-income Missourians who pay little or no income tax but do pay state sales tax were entitled to refunds as well. The court held that the refunds should go to state income taxpayers.

This puts an end to some of the unbelievable speculation that has been going on recently in Jefferson City -- talk about spending the excess revenue on some major items instead of refunding the money to taxpayers.

Taxpayers have waited too long for the money they are owed. The sooner the checks are in the mail, the better. The Supreme Court's decision came as welcome news just a couple of days before Christmas. Now many taxpayers can look forward to a nice present in the mail.