The very idea of cutting taxes in the current political climate sounds more like a pipe dream than a reality. Enter Clay County Commissioner Jerry Nolte, backed by the Clay County Auditor, Treasurer, and Assessor with the plan to bring Clay County back with a competitive edge for business and job growth. Nolte introduced the plan to cut the current $1.59/$100 of assessed value to $.80/$100 assessed value on the Clay County commercial property owner surtax. At the current level, Clay County has the third highest business surtax in the state and is roughly five times higher than neighboring counties.
Why is this important? After a quick assessment of expenses, a business looking to buy commercial property will yield five times the commercial property tax expense in Clay County than neighboring Platte County. The more businesses Clay County continues to lose, the less revenue the County can recoup. Growth means staying competitive in the current market, and reevaluation of Clay County surtax that has had no revision over the last 40 years is a first step.
Opponents include some local businesses (who want to continue to pay higher taxes?) and local school district superintendents who are using scare tactics including staff cuts, even after Northland school districts passed multi-million dollar tax levies ($140M for NKCSD alone) in the recent April 5th election. Concern from Western Commissioner John Carpenter at the Clay County Commission work session included unfounded statements concerning loss of city services. "These are millions of dollars of tax revenue that they rely on for basic city services, infrastructure, public safety," Carpenter said. However, neither Commissioner Carpenter or Eastern Commissioner Megan Thompson are on the record in favor or against the change. Thompson said she wants to hear from schools, first responders, and road districts in an open, honest, and transparent discussion.
The issue continues to draw attention with an interim compromise now on the table which would lower the rate to $1.44/$100 of assessed valuation (the current Jackson County rate) coupled with Hancock Amendment budget control protections.
Clay County Auditor Victor Hurlbert said any cut in the county's surtax could be offset by growing revenues over a five-to-10-year period from assessed valuation growth and new construction. The numbers work: schools and our county can live within their means, like the rest of the taxpayers in Clay County while we mitigate a dis-incentive to important growth in Clay County. The question is: what rollback can make sense and let’s put it to a vote of the people. The issue is discussed at our Clay County Republican Central Committee meetings as well as the County Commissioners meetings, both open to the public. Want to see this on the ballot this fall? Contact your local Clay County Commission here.
|
MISSOURI STATE LEGISLATURE NEWS
- HB 1452- Requires the performance and explanation of an obstetric ultrasound and auscultation of fetal heartbeat prior to an abortion.
- HB 1474 - Establishes requirements for public schools regarding parents and curricula
- HB 1457- Prohibits the use of the 1619 Project initiative of the New York Times in the public schools of the state.
- HB 1747/SB 657- School board recall bill.
- HB 1995 - Parent’s Bill of Rights
- HB 1552 - Charter school funding
Keep up to date with all House and Senate committee, bills and legislature items here.
|
|
Clay County Republican Central Committee Monthly Meeting
2nd Tuesday of each month.
Upcoming Dates:
5/10/22
6/14/22
7/12/22
|
Build Our Bench Monthly Meeting
2nd Monday of each month.
Upcoming Dates:
6/13/22
7/11/22
|
Northland Pachyderm Club Monthly Meeting
2nd Thursday of each month.
Upcoming Dates:
5/12/22
6/9/22
7/14/22
|
Clay County Federated Republican Women Monthly Meeting
4th Monday of each month.
Upcoming Dates:
5/23/2
6/27/22
7/25/22
|
|
The AP: Missouri faces lawsuits in both federal and state court over congressional maps
|
|
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. —
With the state’s Republican-led Legislature still deadlocked on redistricting, Missouri now
faces lawsuits in both federal and state court asking the judiciary to intervene and order a new U.S. House map before this summer's primary election.
Republican congressional candidate Paul Berry III, who filed the latest lawsuit in federal court, said Wednesday that the continued uncertainty over Missouri's U.S. House districts is affecting his ability to campaign.
Though Republicans control the Missouri House, Senate and governor’s office, they have been unable to agree on a final plan to redraw the state’s eight U.S. House districts based on the 2020 census. Missouri is the only state not to have at least passed a
redistricting plan, though uncertainties remain in several other states.
|
|
Clay County Missouri House of Representatives
Candidates Volunteer Contacts
|
|
Your Clay County candidates for Missouri House of Rep Districts can use your help:
Door Knocking, literature distribution, yard signs and more. Give them a call to help.
House District 8: Josh Hurlbert: 816-520-7242; Josh@Joshhurlbert.com
House District 15: Adam Richardson: 816-206-5053; adam@citizensforadam.com
House District 16: Chris Brown: 816-509-4593; chrisbrownformo@gmail.com
House District 17: Bill Allen: 816-313-8224; BillAllenforMO@gmail.com
House District 38: Eben Hall: 913-226-1666; Hallrep38@gmail.com
House District 38: Chris Lonsdale: 816-872-4136; CitizensForLonsdale@gmail.com
House District 39: Doug Richey: 816-223-5759; richeystaterep@gmail.com
|
|
- Aug 02 – Primary Elections
- Nov 08 – General Elections
|
|
SAVE THE DATE:
Clay County Lincoln Day Dinner
June 25, 2022
Heritage Hall in Liberty, MO
Do you have an upcoming event? Please send details to claycountygop@gmail.com attention Krissi Richmond.
|
|
We Back Blue Rally & Ride - KCMO
|
|
GARY SMEDILE, CHAIRMAN, CLAY COUNTY REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE
The 2022 election season is heating up. In Clay County we have several contests including Missouri House district and County Commission seats up for grabs. These candidates can use your help. I’m often asked by well-intentioned neighbors, “I’m interested and concerned but how can I get involved?” One answer: volunteer to help. Elsewhere in our newsletter, we’re providing the contact information for the Republicans running for the House seats from Clay County. Email or give them a call and let them know you’re available. They will appreciate it. Being proactive in rallying volunteers to help our candidates is one of the many ways we’re working to Get Out the Vote for a RED WAVE Victory this November.
On May 9, as part of our “Build Our Bench” program to recruit and support current and future candidates, we held a “Lessons Learned” session drawing from our experiences in the April 5th local elections. Thank you to our participants. Your contributions were invaluable.
Our Lincoln Day Dinner will celebrate Republican Values, Volunteers, Office Holders and Candidates. Mark your calendar: June 25th, 5:30PM, Heritage Hall Events Center, 117 W. Kansas St. in Liberty. After a two-year hiatus, this year’s dinner is going to be an extra special evening with a star-studded line-up of current federal, state and local office holders and candidates including U.S. Senate and State Auditor contenders. Plus, we're planning some very special recognitions. Don't miss it.
As Always, we truly appreciate your dedication and interest in supporting and moving forward the conservative Republican agenda of freedom and individual liberty. Now more than ever, we need to be vigilant and energized. Every. One. Of. Us.
|
|
Paid for by the Clay County Republican Central Committee
Timothy Lambing, Treasurer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|