Jill Carter: This is what happened in special session

(From Sen. Jill Carter, R-Granby)

I want to share the results of the recent special session and how it advances our fight for property tax reform. From the outset, I was clear: I wouldn’t support anything unless tax reform was part of the deal, and I didn’t want major state general revenue used for stadiums.

Here’s what passed:

• Capped Property Assessment Increases: Caps yearly property assessment hikes at 5%, protecting homeowners from the State Tax Commission’s push for increases up to 30%. This will be on the ballot in the spring of 2026.

 

• Supported Tornado For Disaster Relief Victims: Secures funding to help Missourians rebuild after tornadoes, reflecting the resilience we saw after the 2011 Joplin tornado.

• Stadium Package: I’m not a fan, however it’s better than originally presented. It allows the teams to redirect most of the sales tax revenue they generate from sales, to the cost of the stadium projects on the property they are leasing from Jackson County. Repayment is required if they choose to leave.

• Set Stage for Broader Relief: Lays the groundwork for future local tax relief to all Missouri businesses to promote growth.

In Summary:

This was a package deal. The vote was tight, mainly because of the optics of voting for the stadiums. It was either vote yes, and do everything to ensure property tax protection for my district, or vote no, and risk having no protection at all. This would leave us at the mercy of the State Tax Commission.

 

I couldn’t, in good conscience, expect other Senators to vote yes on something that would benefit us, and not be willing to do it myself, for the sake of optics. I’m wanting you to have more transparency.

We will begin working toward permanent property tax reform, reform I pray, that outlives the Chiefs and Royals and moves the needle for the people of our district for years to come.