Standing Alone Against Higher Taxes

SB 623, a bill designed to take advantage of lower gas prices to raise your taxes, was perfected in the Missouri Senate last week.

During the Thursday press conference Senator Libla, sponsor of SB 623, mentioned the Missouri Alliance for Freedom was the ONLY group to oppose it.

The quote from the Fulton Sun:
“They were the only ones who opposed the bill in committee, when we had 30 other groups — all kinds of groups from all over the state — support the bill in the committee,” Libla said at a Thursday news conference.

Missouri Alliance for Freedom was the only witness to testify against this bill.

However, the quote is slightly misleading. The quote attempts to make you believe a significant number of groups representing constituents are supporting SB 623. We would disagree.

Below is a review of the witnesses who testified that day.

First was Patrick McKenna of the Missouri Department of Transportation. Without a doubt, a government agency is going to support higher taxes to fuel their bureaucracy. McKenna did not disappoint us.

Even while pleading for more money the director said all federal funds should go to further expansion and new projects. While funding is apparently low the director of MODOT is advocating to increase our maintenance costs. Again, the bureaucracy will never disappoint us.

Other representatives of bureaucracy to testify were the Missouri Municipal League and the Missouri Association of Counties (counties and cities get a portion of any increase in taxes).

Other groups to testify were the Heavy Constructors Association, Mercury Alliance, Missouri Petroleum Association, Associated General Contractors, the Missouri Trucking Association, Saint Louis Building Trades, and the Missouri Council of Engineering Companies. What do all these particular groups have in common? These groups represent those who profit from highway construction profits. Many of them representing big corporations advocating to raise your taxes to increase their bank accounts.

Of course, many chambers of commerce testified. No doubt many of their members also belong to the associations listed above. A group of companies paying many groups to lobby for a tax increase to make it appear there is overwhelming support.

During the entire hearing, there was one witness who could claim to be an individual testifying of their volition and not for an association. However, that individual was from Kansas, works for an engineering/construction company, and was the past president of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers.

Was the Missouri Alliance for Freedom the only group to oppose the tax increase? Absolutely. We’re proud to stand between your wallet and government. We will continue to do so regardless of the opposition.

If you agree a new tax increase is wrong for the State of Missouri, we currently have petition opposing this tax and would appreciate your support.

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