‘O’ My . . .

It appears that Ohio officials are trying to get in on the tax-cutting act. Good for them. Seriously, Ohio is one of the few states that has performed worse economically than Missouri over the past 14 years.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has proposed a major tax overhaul for the state. Features of the plan include a phased-in individual income tax cut, which would reduce the top rate to 4.74 percent in 2015, and a 50 percent deduction for pass-through entity income that is less than $750,000. A detailed analysis of the plan is on the Tax Foundation website.

I keep harping on these developments in other states to underlie the importance for Missouri to reform its tax code. Show-Me Policy Analyst Patrick Ishmael also has blogged at length about the “American Growth Corridor” sprouting up around Missouri and the need for Missouri to keep up. Gov. Kasich’s plan is an indicator that some in Ohio are starting to recognize the importance of a competitive tax code.

Thankfully, the Missouri Legislature has made progress on some kind of tax cut. The Missouri Senate passed a bill last week that would cut the top rate by a .75 percentage point and also lower taxes on business income. The Missouri House also has good bills with potential to make some significant changes to the state’s tax environment. A lot of work needs to be completed, but there is room for optimism.

Just cutting taxes will not be enough to cure all of Missouri’s economic problems. However, it is a necessary step. Hopefully, the prospect of even more states cutting their taxes will spur Missouri to finally overcome the obstacles to serious tax reform.