Stop Reckless Tax Cuts That Defund Schools and Libraries

I stand in strong opposition to HB 903 (West), a bill that would recklessly slash personal property tax assessments from 33.3% to 18% over three years. While framed as “tax relief,” this legislation threatens to devastate critical public services—our schools, libraries, fire departments, and senior programs—by stripping nearly $900 million from local communities. Let me be clear: this bill prioritizes tax cuts for businesses over the well-being of Missouri’s families. First, our schools will bear the brunt of this fiscal recklessness. Roughly 70% of the projected 900 million revenue loss—approximately 630 million—will come directly from school districts. These cuts will cripple their ability to recruit and retain teachers, fund classroom resources, and support students with disabilities. Rural communities, where personal property taxes contribute up to 40% of local revenue, will face the harshest consequences. Schools in these areas, already under-resourced, will be forced to slash programs, increase class sizes, or even close doors entirely. This is not hypothetical: similar tax reductions in other states have led to teacher layoffs and chronic underfunding, eroding educational quality. Second, public libraries—cornerstones of education and equity—will face devastating setbacks. Libraries are not just repositories of books; they are lifelines for rural and low-income communities, providing free internet access, job training resources, literacy programs, and safe spaces for students and seniors. Slashing their funding will force branches to reduce hours, lay off staff, or shutter entirely. In regions lacking reliable broadband or community centers, libraries fill the gap. For seniors on fixed incomes and families unable to afford costly subscriptions, libraries are a critical bridge to opportunity. HB 903’s cuts will deepen inequities, leaving vulnerable populations isolated and underserved. Third, HB 903 jeopardizes essential services that keep our communities safe and thriving. Fire departments and ambulance districts—already stretched thin—will see their budgets shrink as personal property tax revenues plummet. Senior centers and disability services, lifelines for vulnerable populations, will face impossible choices between staffing cuts or reduced outreach. These are not luxuries; they are foundational to Missouri’s quality of life. Proponents may argue this benefits businesses, but at what cost? Sacrificing public education, libraries, and emergency services to enrich a few is not fiscal responsibility—it is negligence. Our teachers, librarians, first responders, and seniors deserve better. I urge you to reject HB 903. Let us invest in Missouri’s future, not undermine it.