by State Rep. Casey Guernsey
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It is said that history repeats itself. It also seems to be a problem in Missouri politics!
We recently learned that Governor Nixon’s Tax Commission is yet again making the deliberate decision to raise taxes on Missouri’s farmland to the tune of millions of dollars a year. It is very difficult for me to grasp how anyone could make such a decision, let alone twice in an economic downturn. In response, I have filed legislation to reject the Commission’s decision. By law, the General Assembly must adopt such legislation within 60 days to prevent such a tax increase from occurring. This is the second time Nixon’s administration has made this attempt since I have been elected.
Farmers, and in return consumers, cannot afford an increase in taxes on their property, and I will work diligently to overturn this heavy-handed tax increase. This past year we have seen record weather problems affect farmers and rural communities to a devastating end. Considering it was the government that ‘aided’ in many areas with the Missouri River flooding, I believe increasing taxes on farmland is the equivalent of adding insult to injury. I have filed this week a House Concurrent Resolution to strike down this recommendation and prevent the increase in property taxes on farmland. I would fight to overturn any forced increase in taxes on other property or products as well. Now is not the time for any tax increase!
Extreme market volatility, record input cost increases combined with unusually turbulent weather and volatile product demand equals hard times for Missouri farmers. Governor Nixon’s tax commission is recommending the exact wrong thing for Missouri’s farmers and ultimately Missouri’s consumers who cannot afford an increase in food costs. After all, Agriculture is Missouri’s largest industry and every single Missourian benefits from it three times a day. Higher costs to farmers ultimately means higher costs to consumers at the grocery store. Beyond that, at no point in history does increasing taxes bring an economy out of a downturn. More government spending will only drain the pockets of Missouri’s business owners, employees and retirees.
Agriculture is an ever increasing competitive business, not only in Missouri, but also across the nation and certainly internationally. Missouri’s farmers have seen commodity prices rise and fall over the last couple years at an alarming rate, when at the same time input costs have increased to the point where farmers are leaving the business in droves. My family was forced out of the dairy business recently because of economics.
Today’s farmers are paying upwards of $2-3,000 per acre for good crop ground. Aside from the fact I find it wrong that a governor’s administration has an authority to impose assessment on local authorities, it’s astounding they would impose such an increase in today’s economy. This announcement comes on the heels of a forced increase in taxes on commercial property in my district just last year. How can our governor condone a commission that only continues to hurt rural businesses? I think now is a perfect time to evaluate the necessity of a state tax commission. After all, we have county assessors that are actually elected.
(Missouri State Rep. Casey Guernsey represents the 3rd House District which includes the counties of Daviess, Gentry, Worth, Harrison, Grundy, Sullivan and Mercer. He serves on the House Committees of Agri-Business, Appropriations — Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget, Rules, Special Standing Committee on Renewable Energy, and Interim Committee on Pre-Need Funeral Trust. You may email Rep. Guernsey at [email protected] or telephone 573.751.4285, or mail: Missouri State Capitol, Room 206A, 201 West Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65101-6806.)