Poll: Voters split on SLMPD control, eliminating income tax

Poll: Voters split on SLMPD control, eliminating Mo. income tax

BY Spectrum News Staff St. Louis

PUBLISHED 4:32 PM CT Mar. 18, 2025 PUBLISHED March 18, 2025 @4:32 PM

ST. LOUIS—Missourians support local control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department according to a new SLU/YouGov Poll.

The poll asked 900 likely Missouri voters about their opinions on a variety of topics and issues being considered by the state legislature.

The poll was conducted before the public safety bill that grants state control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department passed the state House and Senate and made its way to Gov. Mike Kehoe’s desk. The issue was a key part of Kehoe’s legislative agenda.

The poll found 47% of voters favor local control of the St. Louis Police Department, 39% favor state control and 14% were not sure.

Another push from Gov. Kehoe is to eliminate the individual state income tax in Missouri. The SLU/YouGov Poll found 52% of voters support getting rid of the tax while 25% oppose it and 23% are unsure.

When it comes to technology in the classroom, 80% of Missouri voters support computers in the classroom for high school students. Poll takers were split regarding schools providing personal computers to elementary students, with 44% of voters in favor and 44% opposed.

Their answer is clearer when it comes to cellphone usage in school. The poll found at least 70% of voters support banning students from accessing cellphones during instruction for all grade levels. HB408 is a proposed legislation that would restrict phone usage in schools.

“Voters unsurprisingly do not want to be taxed, but a big question is how does the state government replace that revenue,” said Steven Rogers, Ph.D., SLU/YouGov Poll Director in a statement. “When we asked voters, 46% said they were not sure.”

Here are some other approval ratings of note:

Gov. Mike Kehoe: 50% approve, 31% disapprove, 18% not sure

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley: 51% approve, 41% disapprove, 9% not sure
U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt: 48% approve, 35% disapprove, 17% not sure
U.S. Supreme Court: 51% approve, 42% disapprove, 7% not sure (MoE 5.01%)
Missouri State Legislature: 48% approve, 40% disapprove, 12% not sure (MoE 5.28%)

The margin of error for the full survey sample is ± 3.64%. Top-line survey results can be found here. Results with demographic and party cross-tabs can be found here.