TAX REFORM ACCORDING TO ED HILLHOUSE
YA KNOW, MR. HILLHOUSE HAD THIS GREAT PLAN (BELOW) AND HAVE HEARD NOTHING MORE ABOUT IT. I N F A C T, MR. HILLHOUSE DID NOT FOLLOW THRU ON HIS MUCH BOASTED 2008 DECLARATION THAT HE WOULD REDUCE YOUR COUNTY TAXES BY 25% IN 2008 AND ANOTHER 25% IN 2009. (WANT TO KNOW WHY... SCROLL TO COP's .....BECAUSE HE RELIES ON YOUR TAX DOLLAR TO REPAY COP's AND THAT ISN'T LOOKING GOOD)
11/30/2007
Commissioner Lays Out Tax Reform Plan
By Sarah Wienke , Missourian Staff Writer
Presiding Commissioner Ed Hillhouse has a plan for tax reform that not only addresses property taxes, but calls for an overhaul of the state's entire taxing system.
He is calling for taxpayers, local government officials and legislators to join him in a "grassroots" movement to change the system. It would take state legislation, a constitutional amendment, and possibly a vote of the people to make the changes.
Hillhouse said he has received many phone calls from county taxpayers who are fed up with property taxes and are calling for a "revolt.""The public is saying 'enough is enough.' I agree with that. We need to look at a plan that lowers property taxes over a period of years."However, reducing or eliminating property taxes won't solve the entire problem."There are inequities with all taxes and we need to look at the big picture," Hillhouse said. "We need to look at what it takes to raise that money and be fair to the taxpayers."Hillhouse's plan is to implement a flat income tax that's fair to all Missourians. People below a certain income level wouldn't have to pay the percentage. Everyone else would pay the same percentage, whether they earn $25,000 a year or $100,000 a year.A sales tax that's competitive with other states also should be implemented, he said.Those taxes would replace the property tax. A minimal property tax still could be assessed if it is needed, he said."The combination of the two would be more equitable and would be a funding tool for the state of Missouri," Hillhouse said.He noted that this would prevent property assessments from consistently going up, providing a break for homeowners and enhancing economic development for the state.Currently, local governments abate property taxes to attract industry because the taxes have increased by so much, Hillhouse said. When the industries get a break, that causes the property taxes to increase for homeowners.Hillhouse said his plan will make the state more attractive to industries, which in turn will create more jobs, more income for workers, which will generate more income tax and sales tax revenue."I know this is controversial, but we need to have a plan and a vision and put it together in a time frame to phase it in," he said.Hillhouse said he will work with legislators to make his plan happen because it "will take leadership and willpower" to get this off the ground.The Missourian asked Hillhouse if he knew about a House Joint Resolution read Feb. 26, and sponsored by Rep. Kevin Threlkeld and cosponsored by Rep. Brian Nieves.It calls for a constitutional amendment to implement an alternative tax structure "designed to replace property tax revenues of the state and its political subdivisions" with a tax based on retail sales, personal income, or a combination of both. Hillhouse said he is aware of the resolution, but noted it's just a resolution."Where's the plan?" he said. "Where's the beef?"He said he "applauds" legislators for recognizing something needs to be done about property taxes and tax increment financing (TIF) reform, but there needs to be a concrete plan for addressing these issues.Legislators need to look at all taxes in the state and determine if they are necessary and if they are fair."In Missouri, we have one of the most convoluted ways to raise funds for our most important resources," Hillhouse said.Hillhouse gave the specific example of education. Schools are funded by the state through the Foundation Formula, through local property taxes, as well as a myriad of ancillary taxes including a gambling tax and a tobacco tax, he said.The revenue from these funding sources isn't divided equitably, and some school districts in the state build multimillion dollar Olympic-sized pools, while others don't have textbooks or adequate facilities, he said.Hillhouse told The Missourian that he knows that implementing a change of this magnitude won't be easy, because if it was, it already would've been done."But don't tell me it's impossible," he said. "It's been done before."He noted that in 1945, the people called for a new Missouri State Constitution. A committee worked together to look at the big picture and "made changes good for the state," Hillhouse said.Hillhouse is calling on Missourians to work together again to make a change."For a grassroots movement to happen, people have to have a plan they like," he said. "I'd be very satisfied if legislators took this idea and put it in a bill."
11/30/2007
Commissioner Lays Out Tax Reform Plan
By Sarah Wienke , Missourian Staff Writer
Presiding Commissioner Ed Hillhouse has a plan for tax reform that not only addresses property taxes, but calls for an overhaul of the state's entire taxing system.
He is calling for taxpayers, local government officials and legislators to join him in a "grassroots" movement to change the system. It would take state legislation, a constitutional amendment, and possibly a vote of the people to make the changes.
Hillhouse said he has received many phone calls from county taxpayers who are fed up with property taxes and are calling for a "revolt.""The public is saying 'enough is enough.' I agree with that. We need to look at a plan that lowers property taxes over a period of years."However, reducing or eliminating property taxes won't solve the entire problem."There are inequities with all taxes and we need to look at the big picture," Hillhouse said. "We need to look at what it takes to raise that money and be fair to the taxpayers."Hillhouse's plan is to implement a flat income tax that's fair to all Missourians. People below a certain income level wouldn't have to pay the percentage. Everyone else would pay the same percentage, whether they earn $25,000 a year or $100,000 a year.A sales tax that's competitive with other states also should be implemented, he said.Those taxes would replace the property tax. A minimal property tax still could be assessed if it is needed, he said."The combination of the two would be more equitable and would be a funding tool for the state of Missouri," Hillhouse said.He noted that this would prevent property assessments from consistently going up, providing a break for homeowners and enhancing economic development for the state.Currently, local governments abate property taxes to attract industry because the taxes have increased by so much, Hillhouse said. When the industries get a break, that causes the property taxes to increase for homeowners.Hillhouse said his plan will make the state more attractive to industries, which in turn will create more jobs, more income for workers, which will generate more income tax and sales tax revenue."I know this is controversial, but we need to have a plan and a vision and put it together in a time frame to phase it in," he said.Hillhouse said he will work with legislators to make his plan happen because it "will take leadership and willpower" to get this off the ground.The Missourian asked Hillhouse if he knew about a House Joint Resolution read Feb. 26, and sponsored by Rep. Kevin Threlkeld and cosponsored by Rep. Brian Nieves.It calls for a constitutional amendment to implement an alternative tax structure "designed to replace property tax revenues of the state and its political subdivisions" with a tax based on retail sales, personal income, or a combination of both. Hillhouse said he is aware of the resolution, but noted it's just a resolution."Where's the plan?" he said. "Where's the beef?"He said he "applauds" legislators for recognizing something needs to be done about property taxes and tax increment financing (TIF) reform, but there needs to be a concrete plan for addressing these issues.Legislators need to look at all taxes in the state and determine if they are necessary and if they are fair."In Missouri, we have one of the most convoluted ways to raise funds for our most important resources," Hillhouse said.Hillhouse gave the specific example of education. Schools are funded by the state through the Foundation Formula, through local property taxes, as well as a myriad of ancillary taxes including a gambling tax and a tobacco tax, he said.The revenue from these funding sources isn't divided equitably, and some school districts in the state build multimillion dollar Olympic-sized pools, while others don't have textbooks or adequate facilities, he said.Hillhouse told The Missourian that he knows that implementing a change of this magnitude won't be easy, because if it was, it already would've been done."But don't tell me it's impossible," he said. "It's been done before."He noted that in 1945, the people called for a new Missouri State Constitution. A committee worked together to look at the big picture and "made changes good for the state," Hillhouse said.Hillhouse is calling on Missourians to work together again to make a change."For a grassroots movement to happen, people have to have a plan they like," he said. "I'd be very satisfied if legislators took this idea and put it in a bill."
posted by BJ LAWRENCE at 7:03 AM
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