Neither of the state’s leading Democratic contenders have shown interest in throwing their hat in the ring against U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt three years out from 2016.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon said Thursday the state of Missouri would begin to accept tax returns from same-sex couples filing together.
During a news conference, Nixon said he would issue an executive order directing the Missouri Department of Revenue to accept joint tax returns from all married couples, including same-sex couples who were married in other states.
Nixon said his announcement comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning the Defense of Marriage Act earlier this year, and is consistent with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s decision to also accept returns from gay couples.
Missouri voters approved a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in 2004, but Nixon said he does not believe a change in tax policy violates the amendment.
“What we’re doing today doesn’t violate Missouri’s constitution,” he said. “This isn’t about the definition of Missouri marriage, this is about the structure of our tax code.”
Nixon’s office said the executive order will allow couples to receive any federal exemptions for other married couples, but would not change the eligibility for any state-level exemptions, deductions or credits.
Nixon said he has had a personal evolution on the issue in recent years as the discussion about equality for gays and lesbians has continued to change.
“I don’t think we should treat folks differently in this zone anymore,” he said. “People should get married if they want to get married.”
A.J Bockelman, executive director of PROMO, an organization that advocates in Missouri for equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, said in a statement he was happy with Nixon’s decision.
“We applaud the governor for giving clarity to same-sex couples and providing guidance on how we complete tax return information in the state of Missouri,” he said.