Holden signs property tax assessment measure

CREVE COEUR, Mo. -- In an odd display of bipartisan congratulation, Gov. Bob Holden was joined by the House Republican leader on Friday as he signed a bill that bans the use of so-called "drive-by inspections" by tax assessors in cases where property values are rapidly rising.

State Rep. Catherine Hanaway stood alongside the Democratic governor and complimented Holden's leadership at the ceremony. Appropriately, it was held in the center of St. Louis County, where last year's outcries over dramatic increases in property tax assessments -- often the result of quick drive-by inspections -- led to the action in Jefferson City.

"It is a testament to democracy that even in a very difficult legislative session, we've been able to do a very good thing for the taxpayers," said Hanaway, R-Warson Woods, the House Minority Leader.

Hanaway and Holden were locked in a bitter rhetorical fight in the closing days of this year's legislative session. Hanaway led the effort that blocked the governor's desire to tap the state's so-called Rainy Day Fund to cover revenue shortfalls and balance Missouri's budget.