National Taxpayers Union (NTU) on Wednesday named Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe and House Speaker Jonathan Patterson Taxpayer Defenders of the Month for their work to eliminate Missouri’s state income tax.
The vision initiated by Gov. Kehoe and Speaker Patterson to eliminate Missouri’s individual income tax is well on its way to becoming a reality. The referendum has passed the Missouri House and is now advancing in the Senate. With approval there, Missourians will have the opportunity to vote on it this November.
“I’m honored to receive NTU’s Taxpayer Defender Award. Our plan to eliminate Missouri's individual income tax is about fairness and letting working Missourians keep more of what they earn,” Gov. Kehoe said.
On Wednesday, NTU Senior Vice President of State Affairs Leah Vukmir presented Gov. Mike Kehoe with the Taxpayer Defender of the Month challenge coin in recognition of his leadership to responsibly eliminate Missouri’s income tax.
“I’m grateful for NTU’s recognition. The state income tax had its run. The evidence is clear: when states eliminate the income tax, people and economic growth follow,” Speaker Patterson said. 
On Wednesday, NTU Senior Vice President of State Affairs Leah Vukmir presented Missouri House Speaker Jonathan Patterson with the Taxpayer Defender of the Month challenge coin in recognition of his leadership to responsibly eliminate Missouri’s income tax.
On Wednesday, Vukmir also testified before the Missouri Senate Committee on Economic and Workforce Development in favor of a responsible phase-out of the individual income tax.
“Taxpayers in Missouri appreciate Gov. Kehoe’s careful, considered work to eliminate the state income tax,” Vukmir said. “Eliminating the income tax sends a simple message: Missouri values work and effort, and success won’t be punished. We’re proud to recognize Gov. Kehoe’s efforts.”
The Taxpayer Defender award honors leaders who go above and beyond to protect taxpayers through transparency, fiscal discipline, and principled leadership.
Each month, NTU selects one leader who demonstrates a clear, consistent commitment to limiting taxes, spending, and regulation at every level of government. Previous award winners include House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Anyone can nominate a Taxpayer Defender of the Month on the National Taxpayers Union website.
Missouri’s tax reform is part of a growing movement of almost 30 states that have reformed their tax system to reduce or phase out state income tax over the past 20 years. To learn more about state tax reform nationwide, register for our webinar on April 7 at 1 PM ET.
National Taxpayers Union is the only free-market organization for taxpayers that unites effective advocacy with useful research about how to limit taxes, spending, and regulation at every level and branch of government—state, federal, administrative, and judicial.