Your Letters for Dec. 12, 2025
Government by the government for the government
President Reagan said it best when he states government is not the solution, it is the problem. Presently, the state of Missouri passed a law which offers a discount to senior citizens on their property tax. It allows the county to freeze the tax base. However, the value can still increase. If the value increases, the tax will remain the same. The exception is the passage of new bonds which can still increase the taxes.
As a senior citizen I received my 2025 property tax and the value went up and the taxes increased with it. It had a place for senior discount, which stated zero credit. This brings me to President Reagan's point!
I call the tax office and they first said the tax increase was due to new bonds. I informed them there has been no new bonds. I was then referred to the Assessor's office of which was the best answer. They said when the law was passed, the state gave no guidance on how to apply the discount and left it to the county to work out the details. It looks like the county is not going to recognize senior citizens! I guess they need more money for their pet projects.
I have called the Attorney General of Missouri and they said fill out a form and they would look into it. I called Rep. Shields and here is the classic answer: Yes, we are aware that some people are getting the discount and some are not. I said, I thought state law out trumped local law. Shields' office said, "I am sure something will be done." I wanted to say I have some land in Florida I would like to sell you! (Swamp land!) Governor Mike Kehoe's office responded with, "They are aware of the issue and it would take new legislation to correct the problem."
I might add that any calls to these departments will only get a voice mail to leave a message. I am in week two awaiting a response from some lawmakers and it's crickets.
I find it interesting that when you seek information on what we pay the government to do, they are busy or in meetings. I have had the same experience with our local government. I had a question on the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) granted in Greystone, which was passed by our government. I have called my Council Rep. Andy Trout, Mayor Josendale, and all is voice mail. I have called the City Manager Mike Schumacher last week and crickets. I have come to the conclusion that I will do the same when they ask for money and their vote.
Let's vote them all out of office and at least a new person will be excited for a short time. Who knows, they may even contact someone about an issue in their jurisdiction but only until the bureaucracy catches up with them. I have learned that our law officials can discriminate against a group of people: senior citizens.
Richard Sharp
St. Joseph
Invest in kids' futures
As a proud Missourian, I have seen firsthand the intelligence, creativity and enthusiasm of the young people in our state. However, our state’s potential is stilted by preventable food insecurity in schools. It’s time for us to eliminate the reduced-price school meal copay.
Average families are struggling. The economy is not thriving, and the federal government is in a state of chaos. Programs like SNAP that Missouri relies on to feed children are under threat. Even during more stable times, many schoolchildren go hungry because they cannot afford to buy lunch, despite qualifying for reduced-price meals. This is preventable. We can, and should, invest in kids’ futures by covering the cost of their meals.
Free school meals have been proven to increase test scores, decrease behavioral issues and increase lifetime earnings. This investment benefits everyone – for every $1 invested into school meals, we generate $2 in economic activity. We already provide buses, technology, and textbooks to our students. Food is just as essential to their education.
There is an untapped resource in our state: people. Let’s stop leaving kids behind and invest in their education instead. Tell your legislators that you want to eliminate the reduced-price school meal copay.
Delia Zacks
University City, Missouri
