Engler: Protecting Taxpayers: Senate Rejects Tax Increase on Farmers, Promotes Fiscal Responsibility

Missouri will not be like many other states in the country and take advantage of taxpayers in economically difficult times.  We remain committed to making sure that your tax dollars are spent wisely and that there are no job-killing tax increases.  This is a goal we continue to focus on as the legislative session progresses.

One legislative priority this session is to halt a tax increase imposed on Missouri farmers by the State Tax Commission. Late last year, the commission voted to raise the rate at which Missouri's most productive farmland is valued by 29 percent.  With the cost of production going up and the economy causing debt levels to rise, this is no time to add hardship to our farmers through a tax increase. The result of this tax increase would be an increase in the cost of grain for livestock producers and an increase in the cost of food Missouri families would pay at the grocery store.  We took the first steps to rejecting the tax increase this week as we passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 32 and 35.  We have 60 days to pass the resolution through the legislature, and I am pleased to see the legislation moving quickly through the process.

Last week, the governor released his proposed budget for the coming fiscal year, which failed to fully fund the foundation formula.  This week, I joined Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields in publicly stating that the Senate will fully fund the formula.  While the governor's budget makes promises and expands funding in other areas, it falls short in our core commitment to our classrooms. The legislature is going to have to sort through this budget that appears out of balance to make sure our commitment to education is fully funded so that we can avoid a massive tax increase imposed on us by the courts.

Another issue the Senate continues to address is our constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget.  The Senate Appropriations Committee met this week and many members expressed their concern that the governor's budget proposal is based on speculation rather than actual figures.  The governor's proposal uses $300 million in federal funding that has yet to even be debated on a federal level, let a lone passed.  We cannot be spending money we do not have, it's irresponsible.

My Senate colleagues and I remain committed to protecting Missouri taxpayers.  Whether this includes rejecting tax increases on farmers or insisting on fiscally responsible policies, we will continue our work to make sure that your tax dollars are spent wisely.