* Tribune editorial from last month…

Illinoisans often assume high taxes are simply the unavoidable cost of living in the Land of Lincoln. But just across our borders, states are making some very different choices.

Missouri is asking voters whether to gradually eliminate its income tax and shift more toward taxing consumption. […]

Take what is going on in Missouri. On Aug. 4, voters get the chance to weigh in on whether Missouri should fundamentally rethink how it taxes its citizens; specifically whether the Show-Me State should gradually shift its tax burden away from income and toward consumption.

Ironically, Missouri currently has the very tax structure Illinois progressives have long sought: a graduated income tax. Even so, its top marginal income tax rate (4.7%) is lower than Illinois’ flat rate (4.95%).

* The Missouri Republicans put the question on the primary ballot, and it didn’t go well…

Missouri voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have given state lawmakers the ability to expand sales and use taxes in order to eliminate the state income tax.

Amendment 5 failed Tuesday, with 83% of the ballots cast being no votes when the election was called at 8:15 p.m. […]

The Missouri Budget Project says 80% of people in the state would have seen a net tax increase, with the average Missourian paying over $500 more in taxes annually.

That 83 percent total has not changed.

I assume most would’ve seen a net increase precisely because the state has a graduated income tax.