Progress MO
JEFFERSON CITY, MO — A delegation of advocates, workers, and community members from Missouri traveled to Washington, DC, last week to deliver a clear message to Congress: no more tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations – especially not at the expense of hardworking Missourians.
“Everything is getting harder for working people, yet Congress continues to prioritize tax breaks for billionaires like Elon Musk and other ultra-rich people. It’s shameful,” said Jebediah Morris of Cape Girardeau. “I’m in DC to give Missourians a voice because we simply can’t afford another giveaway to the wealthy. Our representatives need to put working families and individuals first.”
Progress MO and Missouri Jobs with Justice joined a national push led by Fair Share America, a grassroots organization advocating for tax justice. Alongside advocates from over 30 states, Missourians are meeting with lawmakers to demand an end to Trump-era tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations and ensure the needs of regular Missourians take priority.
“It’s time the rich and big corporations pay their fair share,” said Progress MO Executive Director Claire Cook-Callen. “Missourians are struggling while billionaires continue to get richer and pocket bigger tax breaks. We’re reminding Congress who they work for: their constituents, not Elon Musk.”
The 2017 Trump tax law gave the vast majority of its benefits to the richest 10% and large corporations. More than 80% of the total benefit from the 2017 tax cuts went to the top 10% of earners, and 90% of workers did not see a pay raise at work. That’s because tax cuts for the rich and big corporations consistently fail to deliver on the economic benefits they promise.
Congress is moving forward with a budget plan that would extend and deepen the same failed 2017 tax cuts — and pay for them by forcing deep cuts to vital programs that support working families like Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Head Start, and more.
The impacts of the cuts needed to fund the tax cuts for the rich are severe, as Missourians will see:
- Harm to hardworking families, seniors and children.
- Massive changes to Medicaid jeopardize access to vital health care for 1.3 million Missourians — 666,000 of which are children. [CBPP]
- Cuts to SNAP will take food off of the table of the 12.7% of Missouri households facing food insecurity in Missouri. [CBPP]
- Cuts to SNAP will force 107,000 Missourian families, seniors and children back into hunger and poverty each year. [CBPP]
- Medicaid funding cuts from the state and federal government will put rural health care systems at serious risk of closure, further limiting access to care for all Missourians. [CCF]
- A state budget deficit, as the federal government pushes massive costs off onto states.
- If Missouri can’t or won’t cover the loss of federal Medicaid funds, the increase in uninsured residents and rising costs of uncompensated care will further strain state and local budgets, creating even larger deficits the state must address. [KFF]
- Job losses and a slowdown of the state’s economy.
- Cuts to or the repealing of a piece of the IRA will jeopardize at least 150 new jobs and $400 million in investments. [Climate Power]
- Cutting Medicaid will reduce the economic benefit that Missouri sees from the program, impacting jobs within health care and beyond, lowering income and state tax revenues, and decreasing the multiplier effect at the state level. [KFF]
“Being on Medicaid for a period of time allowed me to become healthy and self-sufficient,” said Beth Pitney of Moberly. “These cuts would keep people from being able to thrive.”
Courtney Cotner of Cape Girardeau expressed her concerns for the direction of our country: “I’m terrified for the future of America. Plain and simple, these programs are vital and people depend on them.”
“DC leadership is trying to jam through another round of tax cuts for the wealthy at the expense of every working and middle class family nationwide –and they don’t want to face the consequences,” said Fair Share America Executive Director Kristen Crowell. “Fair Share is proud to be leading this fight for tax justice with our partners in the states, because every single person deserves a fair shot to thrive in this country.”
About Progress MO: Progress MO is a multi-issue advocacy organization dedicated to amplifying progressive voices and driving meaningful policy change across Missouri. Using cutting-edge online organizing, strategic communications and rapid response media strategies, Progress MO challenges conservative propaganda and ensures diverse perspectives are heard. As a year-round communications hub, Progress MO provides the tools and support needed to engage citizens, build a stronger movement and drive bold policy advancements that address critical issues facing Missourians.