EDITOR:
The recent vote to create a new sales tax for a children’s fund in Platte County is fascinating to me. To be clear, I voted against this new tax. I recognize that proponents of the tax love and care about our kids. I also love and care about our kids and so do others who oppose this tax. But there is a better way to address the challenges our kids face than throwing money at them. This is just too important to our families and our community.
Since the tax has been approved by the voters, you might be thinking the tax starts automatically. But that is not the way the legislature sees this important issue.
So, what are the next steps? The state statute that authorizes a vote on this tax is Section 67.1775. The law states that:
“The governing body of any county of this state MAY (emphasis added), after voter approval under this section, levy a sales tax not to exceed one-quarter of a cent in the county. . .for the purpose of providing services including counseling, family support, and temporary residential services to persons 19 years of age or less.”
To summarize, the word “may” in this section of the statute does not require the commission to levy the tax. Up until 2005, the law said that if the voters approved, then “the tax shall be levied and collected.”
When I was in the state legislature, I saw the way laws are drafted. It is not unusual for the legislature to approve a ballot measure but also put checks and balances in the statute. This is a way for the legislature to give local government and the people a balanced approach between more taxes and other effective methods to pursue important priorities.
I and many others are not convinced that creating another government bureaucracy is the best solution. In fact, I think that approach is short-sighted and harmful to our kids. Furthermore, I don’t think we can legislate or tax ourselves enough to truly send a message to our kids that they are important and that they matter.
Healing the hearts of these kids is the long term solution. Our community needs to take an inventory of the resources that are available for our kids. For example, resources offered by our local faith communities like youth groups, mentoring programs, and family support services are all under-utilized. I am sure they are ready to step in if we just ask them.
I ask the Platte County Commission not to impose this new sales tax. Our kids and their families deserve more attention than just throwing money at them.
--Ron Schieber
Former Platte County
Presiding Commissioner
Former State Representative
