Stouffer resolution to reject tax increase approved

A resolution sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer, a Republican candidate for the Fourth Congressional District seat, passed the Senate. Stouffer issued the following news release:

State Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, announced that the Missouri House has voted to pass his Senate Concurrent Resolution 35. This disapproves of the recommendations voted on by the State Tax Commission that would raise land valuations for certain landowners.

"We are dealing with extremely volatile markets, record production expenses, weak demand and landowners struggling to manage debt and cash flow throughout our district," Sen. Stouffer said. "Now is a bad time to raise taxes on any Missourian, including the state's landowners."

The resolution successfully blocks a plan to raise taxes on Missouri's farmland by an average 11.5 percent increase statewide. The measure was backed by the Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Corn Growers, Missouri Soybean Association and the Missouri Cattlemen's Association.

"While property tax levies are set locally, the commission's increase in farmland productivity values means a tax increase on farmers and ranchers statewide," Sen. Stouffer said. "This is simply not the time to be raising anybody's taxes."