Missouri lawmakers’ failure once again, as in years past, to require out-of-state online stores to pay sales tax is a detriment to Missouri businesses and residents. State lawmakers understand online stores sell the same goods and services mom-and-pop stores sell. Missouri lawmakers understand outof-state, online sellers have a competitive advantage. Online stores do not pay the same tax in-state businesses – including in Excelsior Springs and Richmand – are required to pay. Missouri lawmakers are knowingly and financially punishing Missouri’s mom-and-pop stores, and other retailers, for doing business in this state. The online tax is not a new tax. Missouri already has a sales tax, but lawmakers choose not to collect that tax from online sellers. Online sales tax – also called an ecommerce tax and a “use tax” – is collected by almost every state, but not Missouri. Failing to collect the sales tax means less...