Representative Mike Costlow

@TheRobbCarter @RareCamellia @PeoplesLobbyMo @Paul_Renner @SpeakerTimJones I’d be happy to

@RareCamellia My group @PeoplesLobbyMo is looking to put a moratorium on AI Data Centers. So is REPUBLICAN gubernatorial candidate @Paul_Renner, former Florida Speaker of the House in Florida. Would you be willing, along with @SpeakerTimJones to have a public conversation in Missouri? I see no benefit to citizens, and you see that as Leftist propaganda spread by “useful idiots” Please let us know if any GOP Rep or a spokesperson for @AFPhq would engage in truth seeking publicly.

$1b that doesnt have to be replaced - that has been part of HB173 since the beginning. The original version had the final trigger at 1.4%. Once the gradual reduction of income tax hit the 1.4% mark it would immediately reduce to 0% and never come back. This was around 2.5b that would disappear. I understand and respect transparency, but X and Facebook comments make for very difficult dialogue. It is not a good forum for understanding and discussing complicated topics like this. It comes across as more performative than productive.

Representative Costlow, appreciate you engaging with the substance. A few responses: On the Amount/Method frame — that’s a useful distinction and we accept it. We agree completely on Amount: Missouri needs aggressive, sustained spending discipline. The bloat from federal COVID dollars created exactly the false sense of wealth you describe, and unwinding it is overdue. Your point that this year’s budget is on track to cut for the first time in a long time is welcome. That’s the path we’ve been advocating for. On Method, here’s where we’d press back. You wrote: “you are advocating for the Income Tax as the preferred method of taxation over Consumption.” That’s not our position, and it’s the second time the framing has appeared. Our actual position: cutting taxes is conservative, shifting taxes is rearrangement. We want the income tax eliminated. We disagree that the path runs through expanding the sales tax base to rent, healthcare, childcare, and services Missourians use every day. “Cut what government takes” vs. “change how it’s collected” is the disagreement — not income tax vs. consumption tax as abstractions. The “almost any other tax is better than income tax” claim is also stronger than the literature supports. Consumption taxes are generally found less distortionary, yes — but the dollar-for-dollar shift assumption requires the offsetting growth to materialize at a rate that isn’t settled even among free-market economists. Some find it; some don’t. Worth being honest that this is contested. On your point 1 — the claim that every plan abandons over $1B that doesn’t have to be replaced — could you point us to the source? That’s not a figure that’s been part of the public discussion of HJR 173, and if it’s accurate it changes the math considerably. Genuinely interested. On the lunch — we appreciate the invitation. Our work at Act for Missouri is grounded in helping voters see the substance of the policies that affect them, which is why we put significant weight on engaging publicly when the conversation is substantive — like this one is. The questions we’ve raised here, plus the $1B figure, deserve answers in the public conversation where voters can follow them. We’re not shy about meeting in person when there’s reason to, but on the policy itself, this is the right venue. Happy to keep the conversation going right here.

The claim is simple: “The income tax is already in the ham.” But HJR 173 is not simply making a hidden tax visible. It removes a small slice of state income tax while leaving most embedded taxes in place — then opens the door to broader sales taxes on services Missourians use every day. That is not real tax elimination. That is tax shifting. Act for Missouri supports eliminating Missouri’s income tax, but it should be done through spending discipline and growth, not by creating a new constitutional path to tax rent, healthcare, childcare, repairs, and services. Missourians deserve an honest accounting. Read and share: new-site.act4mo.org/posts/hjr173-h…

1. Every plan that I have seen abandons over $1b as a result of elimination of income tax that does not have to be replaced. This is a savings for the People of Missouri. The 'path' that is referenced by Senators is speculative, but the difference would not remain as Income Tax. 2. Good clarification - Yes, the Federal Income tax would remain. I'll be happy to sign on to any initiative to push back the legislation from 1913 that gave Washington the authority to take from people's paychecks. For now, though, I will stow my soap box. 3. There are two distinctly different sides to the coin that is taxing - Amount and Method. Amount: We should absolutely restrict government expenditures to only what is necessary to fulfill the Constitutionally required role of government. After years of bloat from the false sense of wealth the Federal Covid Dollars brought the state, we are now facing the undeniable mandate to cut back - and hard. Unwinding that clock is hard because so much of the spending has been become Constitutionally mandated. We are on track this year to cut the budget for the first time in a long time. This HAS to be the trend in the coming years to get our budget back under control. Method - This is what we're talking about here. Conservative economists have long identified the Income tax as one of the worst taxes for free markets and competitive economies. Almost ANY other tax is better, including consumption taxes. A restructure is necessary to take the shackles off of the legs of Missouri's economy, especially as other states around the nation have already started and are outcompeting us. All other things being equal, even if all Income tax was shifted dollar for dollar, it would be a win for Missouri. With the conservative leadership and members that I see growing in the House, I believe we can work over the next couple of years to reduce that number significantly. Ultimately, you are advocating for the Income Tax as the prefered method of taxation over Consumption, which is definitely not a Conservative position (at least as far as aligning with Free Market conservative economists) I would love to sit down with you two and a few Representatives over lunch and discuss the nuance and economic forces involved that make this restructure the right move for Missouri.

Representative Costlow, three quick corrections — happy to go deeper if useful. 1.The cuts-and-growth path doesn’t replace income tax with cuts alone. Senate’s claimed $4.11B in cuts + ~$3B in projected GR growth = roughly $7.1B against the $8.51B elimination target. That’s cuts AND growth working together over time, not 60% from cuts in year one. 2.The “small slice” reference in our work isn’t about the state income tax overall — it’s about what’s embedded in consumer prices. Of the supply-chain taxes baked into goods (federal income, payroll, corporate, property + state income), Missouri state income tax is a small portion. HJR 173 doesn’t unwind the federal taxes — those remain embedded. 3.We’re not advocating for the income tax. We’re advocating for ELIMINATING it through cuts and growth rather than shifting it onto rent, healthcare, childcare, and services Missourians use every day. Tax shifting isn’t tax cutting — that’s the disagreement, not whether the income tax should go. The conservative path eliminates the income tax AND preserves Missouri’s low cost of living — putting us ahead of TX/FL/TN, not just matching them.

@TheRobbCarter He started being poked with holes as soon as he stepped through the metal detector - only 2 seconds after he rounded the corner and came in to view. I was very impressed with the speed of response

@CostlowForMO The video showing the shooter running through half asleep security with a gun would indicate to me many people could have been killed. Butler. Charlie. You’d think security would be alert by now.

Narrative Control. Orchestrated theater.

They declined to do it again because it was more expensive, slower, taxing on volunteers who said they would not do it again, and yielded inaccurate counts. This was an April election with very low turnout. The Director of Elections had serious concerns about these issues multiplying in a General Election.

@CostlowForMO @Angie0944157428 @ActforMissouri @RickBrattin @TheTomEstes @PeterKinder @PatriotFlyover @TheJuiceStl @JenOlsonSCC @realmikemoon @BryantTWolfin @RealTalk933FM @Kristen_Haftrak @DLHoskins I was told it went well?

@CostlowForMO Representative Costlow, what is Tom right about? First, did the GOP control the Senate when they squandered the abolition of abortion in Missouri? Do I have that wrong? Has the GOP doubled the Missouri budget with Federal dollars? Do I have that wrong? Did Mr. Estes post to social media that hand counted paper ballots “will never happen, period!” Do I have that wrong? What do personalities have to do with the GOP getting The People’s work accomplished?

@Angie0944157428 @ActforMissouri @TheRobbCarter @RickBrattin @TheTomEstes @PeterKinder @PatriotFlyover @TheJuiceStl @JenOlsonSCC @realmikemoon @BryantTWolfin @RealTalk933FM @Kristen_Haftrak @DLHoskins Why did it stop? They did it in Osage just a few years ago.

@ActforMissouri @TheRobbCarter @CostlowForMO @RickBrattin @TheTomEstes @PeterKinder @PatriotFlyover @TheJuiceStl @JenOlsonSCC @realmikemoon @BryantTWolfin @RealTalk933FM @Kristen_Haftrak @DLHoskins Missouri used to do it and we can again.

@TheRobbCarter Already answered - if you need anything clarified from my response I will be happy to do that. If we are going to pretend I didnt, there isn’t much use in me giving my time.

Can you answer the questions posed? I could be seeing it wrong, but this is what’s been conveyed by multiple GOP Representatives working in JC. How could anybody associated with me, manipulate elections. What does that mean? The disconnect is based on results. Regardless of the process, the GOP runs the show in Jefferson City. Results: Doubled budget, higher taxes, abortion on demand, AI Data Centers popping up everywhere without consent, no transparency in the Senate, flawed elections, and infighting among those who prefer a small government that’s completely transparent.

@TheRobbCarter I believe I addressed most of what you just asked and explained the disconnect. And your group is not the only “we the People” in the state. If you want the majority rule position that it appears you are advocating for, you will always lose because you are in the minority.

This would imply the GOP Party is not responsible despite controlling the Senate Agenda? Is that your position? I’m not for, or against, any Senator. When we begged not to pass the Chiefs and Royals tax break, nobody listened. And, who was right? That was Governor Kehoe’s legislation and the Party fell in line. No? Did the GOP double the budget with Federal dollars, or is my info incorrect? What are the consequences? Did the GOP controlled Senate squander IP reform allowing abortion on demand in Missouri? Did GOP leadership add a gasoline tax? And, it’s your Party Leader, the POTUS who said elections were being manipulated through “electronic voting systems” It’s a lame argument to imply We The People cannot count votes if properly funded and organized. The only possible chance to regain confidence in elections is to count paper by hand. Not sure who the psychopaths Estes refers. And, this isn’t about personalities, this is about governing to the will of The People. @DLHoskins ran on no machines. Isn’t that a clue as to what your constituents prefer. It was on the GOP platform to remove machine counting. Still not enough?

@han_embry In my short experience, yes Many clicks and likes to be had by a small group of histrionic people. Anti-Republicanism pays these days.

This is my first election cycle working in #moleg instead of covering it from the media side of things. Is it always this hostile so early? 🥴

@PatriotFlyover @TheRobbCarter @RickBrattin @TheTomEstes @ActforMissouri @PeterKinder @TheJuiceStl @JenOlsonSCC @realmikemoon @BryantTWolfin @RealTalk933FM @Kristen_Haftrak Of all people to make that statement….

@TheRobbCarter @CostlowForMO @RickBrattin @TheTomEstes @ActforMissouri @PeterKinder @TheJuiceStl @JenOlsonSCC @realmikemoon @BryantTWolfin @RealTalk933FM @Kristen_Haftrak Because they are both insufferable and needs to point the finger at someone besides themselves.

@TheRobbCarter @RickBrattin @TheTomEstes The House passed those measures every year and they died in the Senate - try taking a closer look at the issues and the people involved. Tom Estes is 100% correct. This isn’t a GOP thing, this is personalities and a process that allows loud people to control the upper chamber.

Here comes Missouri Senator @RickBrattin’s Chief of Staff again. As a “Republican” @TheTomEstes must have forgotten that abortion was abolished in Missouri until the Super Majority of Republicans failed to pass Initiative Petition Reform. The GOP throws money at “education-Indoctrination” like blue haired liberals. The People are funding us. We need to look into who’s funding the Missouri GOP. Lobbyists and The Feds? We at @PeoplesLobbyMo would like to change that, but Mr. Estes firmly states that hand counting paper ballots “will never happen, period!” Pitiful. @ActforMissouri @PatriotFlyover @0708America @overstreetha @RealTalk933FM

That is because the legislature has consistently passed law that decreased taxes specifically for seniors. It is disheartening to see that when we try to do something that benefits the whole population of Missouri the response from seniors is “this one doesnt directly benefit me more than everyone else so I will fight it” I wonder what things would be like for you if the rest of the population did that with your tax abatement legislation.

@RGreggKeller I am retired. I do not pay state or even federal income tax. What I do pay is sales and property tax. You can lock your real state taxes at age 62 but not property tax. You still have to pay property and sales tax. Any increases on sales taxes impacts lower income folks.

When we eliminate Missouri’s income tax, a household earning $60,000 will save $2,433 a year in income taxes. #moleg #mogov #mosen

Not all taxes are created equal - Income tax is one of the most egregious. Restructuring taxes from liberal progressive to conservative flat tax is the very definition of Conservative fiscal policy. I would be ashamed to be caught supporting Democrats in their misguided “tax the rich” narrative.

Here are the major votes on HJR 173, including exactly who voted for and against it. We salute the 9 principled Republicans in the final House vote who stood against this legislation despite intense party pressure. Their courage highlights the serious concerns many have with the bill. If we had more representatives like them, we might have gotten a truly conservative solution: one that eliminates the personal income tax without creating new taxes, and pays for it through economic growth and real budget cuts. True conservatives cut taxes. They don’t simply swap one tax for another just to keep spending at record levels. #moleg #actformissouri act4mo.loginto.me/bill/HJR%20173

GOOD MORNING, MISSOURI!! It's a statewide Day of Action to talk to voters about the Road to Zero! Johnnie has a request for you!👇 americansforprosperity.actcentr.com/ContactOfficia… @jmcalloway7 @GovMikeKehoe @MikeLKehoe @MissouriPromise @MoTaxReliefNow #moleg

Couldn't be more proud of the crew we have assembled in SWMO. This crew is going to win some elections for the good guys this year. 💪

Absolutely deplorable We are debating the “Born Alive Abortion Survivors Act” on the House floor. A bill that declares it illegal to kill children who are born after an attempted abortion. We are talking about children outside of the womb, breathing on their own, screaming and crying for the world to hear. Democrats are screaming about how it is “their right” to kill these children and that criminalizing these killings would drive medical services out of the State. The abortion argument is NOT about “womens rights” or “healthcare” - it is about a topic that has been leveraged for political purposes to gain power and get people motivated. Lets find a political fight that doesnt include killing kids if we really need a fight. This is EVIL.

@alisagbrnelson We did not discuss any anti abortion bills today. Are you refering to the bill that says you cant kill a baby that has been born even if the intent was to abort him or her? I am beginning to see how misinformation spreads so easily

The MO House is now debating an anti-abortion bill sponsored by Branson Rep. Brian Seitz. #moleg #mogov