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 money for critical services: ambulance, law enforcement, fire, education, health and…