Working for Farmers’ Futures
This week, Senate Concurrent Resolutions 51 and 52 were combined and passed through the Senate, and will be heard in the Missouri House, in addition the Senate Truly Agreed and Finally Passed House Concurrent Resolution 58. These resolutions will protect farmers and ranch owners by preventing a tax increase in our district. Missouri farmers are currently facing a recommendation from the State Tax Commission (STC) for a 5 percent tax increase, as well as the commission’s current guidelines for valuing farmland. These values do not reflect the large amount of property damages caused by the recent flooding and inclement weather throughout the past year. Senate Concurrent Resolutions 51 & 52 and House Concurrent Resolution 58 disapproves the STC regulations and provide a more inviting and sustainable Missouri farm agricultural industry for our farm workers.
Missouri farmers make up the largest industry in the state and work hard year-round to bring local food to our tables and grocery stores. They are also an aging group, with the average farmer’s age being around 60 years old. This means that a younger generation of agricultural workers is going to start leading the industry in the upcoming years. Because they will need a reliable and affordable industry to work in, this is not the right time to raise taxes on our state’s number one industry. We also need a reformed system of land valuation, which takes into account damaging events like flooding and drought that hurt our farmers’ livelihoods.
Any increase in taxes right now could prevent expansion and growth in the agricultural industry. Missouri farmers deserve to have the regulations that would accurately reflect their productive capability.
This week, I also had the opportunity to meet with the Highway 54 Coalition when they visited the Capitol on Monday. The coalition focuses on transportation infrastructure along the Highway 54 corridor from Mexico to Louisiana, which is a major issue in regard to economic growth and safety. It is my hope that transportation funding can increase to help with projects such as the expansion of Highway 54 and other important transportation projects through my district.
It is an honor to be your State Senator and my door is always open to your concerns, questions or comments. Please feel free to contact me at (573) 751-2757 or visit my web page at www.senate.mo.gov/riddle.