Do you prefer to pay income taxes or sales taxes? Missouri voters will get to choose in a unique ballot question later this year. A proposed constitutional amendment will give people the option of gradually eliminating the individual income tax in exchange for the possibility that lawmakers could expand the sales tax to more services. This marks the first time a U.S. state legislature has asked voters to make such a choice. Kentucky, Mississippi and Oklahoma also recently passed laws that could phase out their income tax if revenue benchmarks are met. But those didn't go to voters.

Democrats are pushing new tax-cut plans to ease voters' affordability worries and blunt Republicans' advantage on the issue. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland proposes ending federal income tax for many people earning about $46,000 or less. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker backs a plan that wipes out tax on the first $75,000 of income. Democrats say simple tax relief sells better than complicated credits. Critics warn these plans drain money for restoring funding for Medicaid and other priorities. Analysts also say benefits can tilt toward higher earners and add to deficits.

In a rare bipartisan effort for a deeply divided Congress, the Senate has passed a broad bill to make U.S. housing more accessible and affordable. The bill passed on Thursday would reduce regulations, regulate corporate investors and expand how housing dollars can be used to build affordable homes and rentals. It now heads back to the House, which passed a separate version earlier this year. It is unclear whether President Donald Trump would sign it after declaring last weekend that he won't sign any new measures unless Congress passes legislation that would require voters to show proof of citizenship.