Ruestman: Special Elections and Tax Relief

One of the fundamental principles our country and state were founded on is the idea of free and open elections of representatives and other officials.  However, our state's system of filling vacancies has a loophole in it.  Currently, if certain positions are vacated, the governor can appoint a replacement.

This system was, no doubt, put in place to provide efficiency.  The problem, we've learned in recent years, is the ease at which such power can be used for personal or corrupt purposes.  As Governor Blagojevich of Illinois taught us, it is far too easy to use appointments to return favors or even sell for bribes.  No state is immune to such under-the-table dealings.

Missouri House Bill 1497, which we sent to the Senate on Monday, seeks to correct this issue.  It provides for a special election in the event that the offices of United States Senator, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor or State Treasurer are vacated.  Of course, if the Governor's office is vacated the Lieutenant Governor would fill that role.  The bill also lays out a process to perform the duties of those offices until an election happens.

Legislative Update

My bill, House Bill 1350, to reform property taxes is stalled once again.  This bill would cap the yearly assessment to property.  Because my bill freezes property taxes at the agreed assessed rates until the resale of the property, the only loss is in tax increases!  It seems unfair to expect those who worked hard to own their own property to be taxed more and more every year.  The Oversight Committee of the General Assembly made a determination of how much the bill will cost based on what different taxing entities tell them.  Figures from school districts, counties and other special districts, have estimated that YOUR property taxes will continue to increase statewide up to an additional $328 billion by the year 2013!  This appalls me.  Money these taxing entities want, but have never collected, is not a loss.  My bill creates no real loss.  In the meantime, many people who are now struggling to make their house payments are facing continually rising property taxes.  Where does it end?  When does the government realize that to allow citizens to keep the money they earn is the road to success!

I am fighting an uphill battle, but it is important this issue is pushed to the forefront of public commentary in our state.  Please let all of your elected officials know how you feel about this issue.  Economic growth for individual citizens is what our country needs, not continued growth of government that must be always funded by the wage earner.  Elected officials must understand that it is not the time in history to continue to TAKE from its citizens.  It is the time to make it as easy as possible for them to be rewarded for their labors!