Author: KMIZ

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ)

Rep. Bishop Davidson (R-Greene County) presented House Bill 100 to a special committee on tax reform Tuesday in hopes of implementing a flat 4% income tax rate in the state and getting one step closer in fully eliminating income tax.

If HB 100 gets implemented, starting in 2027, the 4% flat tax would be reduced when the revenue grows by at least $1 million and the Tax Reform Fund is at least $120 million at the end of the fiscal year. The plan is for deductions to only happen when there is a surplus in revenue.

During the hearing for the bill, Davidson laid out his plan to expand sales tax to services and cut exemptions in sales tax rates to supplement money lost from cutting income tax.

“None of it utilizes cuts, it doesn’t use replacement, it utilizes growth,” Davidson said during the hearing.

The group Americans for Prosperity held a rally Tuesday morning in the third-floor Capitol rotunda to support the bill and pass flyers to local legislatures before the hearing, urging them to eliminate state income tax.

The Bill joins the dozens of bills filed by other senators and state representatives that plan to set a flat tax in January 2026 with the tax slowly decreasing over the following years to phase out income tax in the state entirely.

“This year has been the most momentum behind it that we’ve seen in a really long time,” AFP Legislative Liaison Camellia Peterson said. “We have a governor who is fully on board with it, we have a coalition of legislators that have really done great work in crafting legislation thoughtfully that can make this happen.”

Missouri has a tax rate of 0.5% for every $1,273 of annual taxable income. This rate caps out at a top rate of 4.8% for annual incomes of $8,911 or greater.

During the hearing, Davidson compared Missouri to the state of Tennessee — an income-tax-free state — making connections between the states’ agricultural strength, tourism rates and large cities, arguing that Missouri can succeed as an income-tax-free state.

“There’s nine other states without income taxes right now, we’re trying to be the 10th,” Davidson said. “If you look at how those states perform relative to the states that have income taxes, they are just doing quite well.”

Supporters of the bill argue that lowering income tax will also sway people considering moving to Missouri.

“Young people that are looking maybe just out of college to settle somewhere, look for a job, they’re going to look for a state with 0% income tax,” advocate for eliminating income tax A.J. Mall said.

Supporters also add that while sales taxes may go up or be added to services, Missouri residents can decide what to purchase on their own and what they can and can’t afford.

Opponents of the bill argue that lower-income residents may not have the ability to choose and that a higher sales tax may turn tourists away from the state.

“It’s going to it’s going to injure lower-income people because they spend most of their money on things,” Missouri Realtor’s Chief Lobbyist Sam Licklider said.

The next step for the bill is for the committee to vote on it, Davidson hopes for this to happen Feb. 11.

Meghan Drakas

NEW ORLEANS (KMIZ)

As the week of Super Bowl 59 kicks off, law enforcement officials are putting years of planning security measures into place.

“We’re all committed to ensuring that we have a beautiful and exciting Super Bowl week here in the city of New Orleans,” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said.

NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier said Monday that measures surrounding the big game have been in the works for two years.

“The commitment and collaboration over the past few years has been phenomenal and allowed us to put together the security framework that you will see throughout the city on Super Bowl week at all of the venues across the city over the last two years,” Lanier said at an opening news conference.

Following the deadly New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street which killed 14 people and injured dozens, Lanier said the NFL has looked at its plans even closer, reviewing them multiple times.

“We went out and issued an executive order in which we created an enhanced security zone in the French Quarter,” Governor of Louisiana Jeff Landry said. “Something that has not been done before.”

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem spoke about the strength and resiliency of New Orleans.

“It changed not just the families that tragically and horrifically lost their loved ones, but also the city, the state, and the entirety of our country,” Noem said. “We recognize the importance of making sure that we’re doing due diligence and being prepared for events as proactive as possible and deploying resources in partnership that will help us make sure that these events come off safely and with a focus on security.”

Noem said there will be more than 700 Department of Homeland Security personnel on the ground in New Orleans. As of Monday morning, she said there were “no specific credible threats” against the Super Bowl.

“I think [that] should give us all a sense of security, but also knowing that we will adjust that as needed,” Noem said.

Spicer, Minnesota visitor Ted Anderson said he feels the city has taken the right measures.

“I feel just fine here,” Anderson said. “I think it’s a great city. I love it. I’m not much of a big city person when I travel and I figured I got to go to New Orleans.”

Homeland Security says there are over two dozen federal agencies assisting with Super Bowl 59 including ICE, Customs and Border Protection, the Coast Guard and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives.

In addition to federal agencies, New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said there are well over 2,000 law enforcement members across the city.

“I have a little saying I want the community and our visitors who have come to this event to see a sea of blue,” Kirkpatrick said.

She stated the importance of getting people to say something to law enforcement if something seems out of place.

“We’ve instructed every one of our officers that if they are approached by anyone who sees something and say something to you, it is so we can do something,” Kirkpatrick said.

Officials say this could pertain to a suspicious bag, a person acting erratically or even wearing clothing which doesn’t match their surroundings.

People in New Orleans are encouraged to dial 1-800-434-8007 or the LSP Hotline at 5-1-1 if something seems out of place.

Nia Hinson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

There’s a different feeling in the Kansas City air this year, locals and businesses say.

The Kansas City Chiefs have a chance to become the first franchise in the NFL to win three consecutive Super Bowls, something those who live in the city are taking special pride in.

“I think it (winning a third straight Super Bowl) is just bringing everyone together and I think that’s what we need, especially after what happened last year with the parade and everything,” life-long Chiefs fan Dana Ferrell said.

The Kansas City Power & Light District is preparing for another watch party on Sunday night.

Senior Account Executive Savannah Otto told ABC 17 News via email that this is something the district plans year-round. Those who attend the watch party can expect live performances and contests.

“The energy in Kansas City is very exciting right now, this year feels extra special,” Otto said. “The fans’ passion and excitement are amplified by the team’s historic run and that creates an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else.”

Tickets for the event are available on Power & Light’s website. Otto says she expects them to sell out quickly.

The Chiefs have become an NFL franchise that many other fan bases have come to publicly dislike on social media after their many years of dominance, making seven consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances and five Super Bowl appearances during the Patrick Mahomes era.

Some fans say they view the criticism as fuel.

“The more you win, the more you’re going to be hated upon,” Chiefs fan Joshua Ybarra said. “You know, we play a hard game. Our boys are tough. We feed off this stuff. You know, we thrive off that negativity.”

Next door to the Power & Light District is Johnny’s Tavern, a business who has also spent the past few weeks gearing up for Sunday night.

Owner Kyle Witherspoon said since the Chiefs have been making a run in the playoffs, he’s chosen to prepare for the large crowds sooner, rather than later in anticipation of the Chiefs making it to the Super Bowl.

He said the Chiefs playing in the Super Bowl brings a different energy to his business.

“This is one of the events where you know, everybody’s rooting for the same team, right?” Witherspoon said. “So, there’s not a college rivalry involved and there’s not a lot of out of town teams who brought their fan base in to play. Everybody’s down here in the red and the gold rooting for the Chiefs.”