It might not be able to address what has happened, but a property tax reform bill before the House hopes to prevent huge spikes in property taxes from occurring again. Big jumps in property tax rates following reassessment hit various parts of the state, prompting legislators to seek a way to either stop the hikes or enforce provisions to rollback tax rates.

House sponsor Mike Sutherland (R-Warrenton) tells colleagues they need to step up and address the problem.

The big question before the House is will the bill do anything?

It’s a question that troubles Rep. Walter Bivins (R-St. Louis) who has fielded numerous complaints from elderly constituents being taxed out of their homes. Bivins wishes the legislature could reach back as well as move forward. He says homeowners should not be forced out of homes they have lived in all their lives due to property tax increase.

The House has begun debate on the bill, SB 711 . No vote has been taken yet.

 

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