Honorable Chuck Gatschenberger Chairman, House Local Government Committee Missouri House of Representatives201 West Capitol Avenue, room 408B, Jefferson City, MO 65101March 9, 2011
Chairman Gatschenberger and Members of the Local Government Committee,
I am writing on behalf of the City of University City and the mayors of the cities noted below. We are writing to express our opposition to House Bill 534 which is the subject of a hearing by the Local Government Committee today. We are unable to attend your hearing but ask that as your discuss this bill you consider our grave concerns about the negative effect this bill would have on our communities and all of St. Louis County.
Saint Louis County has benefited over the years from the foresight of previous civic leaders who designed and implemented the system of shared sales tax revenues. Understanding the challenges we faced as a region with so many municipalities; knowing that all communities were not equally positioned to provide a commercial tax base to fund city services; and realizing that the Saint Louis region as a whole would benefit when residents throughout the community had sufficient services, they came up with this unique system for the shared distribution of sales taxes. This system asks some cities to sacrifice part of their revenue for the greater good, and helps cities which cannot expand their tax bases because of long-term housing patterns, size of the community, and a myriad of other issues.
People from throughout Saint Louis County support commercial enterprises throughout the County, not only in their hometowns. The ability to provide this on-going economic boost to their neighbors would be greatly impacted by the increased taxes they might have to shoulder if their local communities lose this shared revenue.
Almost 70% of the residents of this region reside in "B" cities that will suffer if this bill is passed.
We respectfully request that you oppose House Bill 534.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mayor Shelley Welsch, City of University City Mayor Tim Pogue, City of Ballwin Mayor Norman McCourt, City of Black Jack Mayor Anita Mason, City of Breckenridge Hills Mayor Jack Agnew, City of Dellwood Mayor Robert Lowery, City of Florissant Mayor Richard Magee, City of Glendale Mayor Benjamin Sutphin, City of Jennings Mayor Patrick Green, City of Normandy Mayor Mary Louise Carter, City of Pagedale Mayor Kenneth Williams, City of Uplands Park Mayor Robert L. Hensley, City of Velda City Mayor Earlene Luster, Village of Velda Village Hills Mayor James McGee, City of Vinita Park Mayor Gerry Welch, City of Webster Groves Mayor Linda Whitfield, City of Wellston Mayor Gail M. Winham, City of Winchester Mayor Lawrence "Butch" Besmer, City of Woodson Terrace |
