The House of Representatives has voted to reject the State Tax Commission’s recommendation that tax assessment values on the top four grades of farm land in the state be raised.
Representative Casey Guernsey
The Commission considers changes to those values every two years. This year it had suggested that those four categories’ values go up eight percent. Representative Casey Guernsey (R-Bethany) told his colleagues those areas of land were hit the hardest by last year’s floods.
“I would simply contend that this is not a year to be raising taxes on farmers who have been absolutely devastated by the floods all across the state.”
The Commission’s recommendation will still take effect unless the Senate also votes to reject it by March 4. A hearing on the matter was held earlier this month, but the matter remains in a committee.
The property tax changes would be effective for 2013 and 2014 assessments.
AUDIO:Â Representative Guernsey and Representative Jill Schupp (D-Creve Coeur), 12:45
