Prevent excessive increases in property taxes and stop abusive uses of eminent domain.
During the last decade property values in many areas have soared. Current statutes were not designed for such growth and have allowed increases in property taxes for many home owners which have far outpaced income growth and inflation. Our current legislature improved the property tax laws this session but more needs to be done.
I will strive to promote legislation requiring a new formula for property tax adjustments. Missouri can limit the increases in property taxes and prevent reductions in school revenues simultaneously. By structuring property tax increases to mirror inflation we would prevent hurtful taxation for elderly citizens and those with a limited income. This approach would also avoid revenue losses for school systems if property values decline as they have in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Eminent domain has been used in some instances for private development. Forcing homeowners to sell to corporations should not be allowed. The state should oversee the use of eminent domain to guard against abuse.
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