Blocking tax increases on Missouri farmers

Missouri has a strong history of agriculture, tracing back to 1725 when some of the first farms in the state were established. Agriculture is the state's No. 1 industry, and Missouri ranks second in the country for number of farms.

Just like any industry in this economy, however, farmers are facing tough times as an unstable market puts their livelihoods in jeopardy.

Despite this situation, the State Tax Commission voted in December to raise taxes on the most productive farms in Missouri by approving new "productive values" for agricultural land. On the first day of the 2010 legislative session, I filed Senate Concurrent Resolution 32 to prevent the State Tax Commission from taking this unfair action.

Missouri farmland is divided into eight groups based on land quality. The best quality is grade 1, with the worst being grade 8. The commission's decision would increase farmland grades 1 through 4 by almost 29 percent, or an average of about 90 cents per acre. A property that produces the most dependable crop yields would see their valuation raise from $985 per acre to $1,270 an acre.

Both the director of Missouri's Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Farm Bureau disagree with the tax Commission's decision, warning that a tax increase could be extremely damaging to Missouri's farmers as they work in this struggling economy.

We need to be finding ways to lower taxes for our farmers, not forcing them to shoulder a higher tax burden. If our family farms see increases in their expenses, it will only contribute to an already wounded economy in our state. Prices for farm commodities have fluctuated greatly recently with costs for things like fertilizer, seed corn and fuel skyrocketing.

The General Assembly can block the tax commission's decision, but we need to act quickly. The Legislature must pass SCR 32 within 60 days to block this tax increase from going into effect.

Farmers are the backbone of Missouri's economy, and it is the state's job to provide every avenue possible for farmers to succeed, not to create roadblocks.

The General Assembly should not stand by as farmers are expected to bear more costs.

Jason Crowell of Cape Girardeau represents the 27th District in Missouri Senate.