Mayor Krewson, Collector Daly Announce Campaign to Retain the City's Earnings Tax

Mayor Lyda Krewson and Collector of Revenue Gregory F.X. Daly today joined forces to announce that they are forming a new campaign committee, “Yes on Prop E – Earnings Tax STL,” in support of the effort to retain the City’s earnings tax on the April 6 ballot.

The earnings tax is a 1% tax paid on compensation and profits earned in the City of St. Louis. It is a fair and equitable tax that helps provide funding for vital, life saving municipal services, such as fire, EMS, police, parks, recreation, etc.

Currently, 36% of the City’s general fund revenue is comprised of earnings tax collections. Without this crucial revenue stream, the City would be forced to dramatically decrease services or increase property and sales taxes.

“Not retaining the earnings tax would be fiscally irresponsible and significantly impact our ability to provide essential services to our constituents. I am going to do everything possible to make sure that doesn’t happen,” said Mayor Krewson.

“The economic uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic underscores exactly why the earnings tax must continue to be protected. I look forward to working with Mayor Krewson to educate voters about the benefits of retaining the City’s earnings tax,” said Collector Daly.

To start, both Mayor Krewson and Collector Daly are contributing $25,000 from their existing campaign accounts to the “Yes on Prop E – Earnings Tax STL” campaign.

Missouri law requires that the earnings tax be put up for a renewal vote every five years. The vast majority of City residents have historically supported this important revenue source and understand how critical it is to sufficiently funding City operations. This would be the third time City voters have chosen to retain the earnings tax.