News & Updates

***CALL TO ACTION*** Information for submitting testimony to the Special Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform

Please use the information below to submit online testimony concerning Missouri Property Tax Reform.  This is your opportunity to have your voice heard on this matter. 

 

 1. Go to the Missouri House Website

 • Visit House.mo.gov.

 • Select “Committees” in the top menu.

 

 2. Find the Correct Committee

 • Look for Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform.

 • Click “Upcoming Hearings” to see scheduled dates.

 

 3. Open the Hearing Details

 • Select the Special Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform hearing.

 • The page will display the hearing date, time, location, and links.

 

 4. Submit Your Testimony

 • Click “Submit Witness Form” if you want to testify in person or online.

 • Click “Submit Written Testimony” to provide written comments only.

 • Fill out your name, contact info, organization (if any), and position (support, oppose, informational).

 

 5. Review and Submit

 • Upload or paste your testimony text.

 • Review for clarity, then submit.

 • After submission, you should see a confirmation screen.

 

 Suggested Talking Points for Citizens

 

When preparing testimony, focus on personal impact, fairness, and accountability. Here are sample themes and prompts:

 

1. Fairness & Affordability

 • “Property taxes should not force families, seniors, or farmers out of their homes.”

 • “Tax reform must balance revenue needs with the ability of citizens to pay.”

 • “Rapid increases in assessments place an unfair burden on homeowners.”

 

2. Transparency

 • “Citizens deserve clear, understandable explanations of how assessments are calculated.”

 • “Property owners should have easy access to appeal options.”

 

3. Consistency & Accountability

 • “Reforms should prevent drastic swings in property tax bills from year to year.”

 • “Assessment practices should be consistent across counties to avoid unfair disparities.”

 

4. Local Impact

 • Share a personal story:

 • Rising taxes affecting a fixed-income household.

 • Impact on small businesses or farms.

 • Difficulty planning household budgets due to unpredictable tax bills.

 

5. Constructive Solutions

 • Suggest assessment caps or limits on annual increases.

 • Support exemptions or relief programs for seniors, veterans, or low-income families.

 • Encourage legislative oversight to ensure fair assessments.

 

Tips for Effective Testimony

 • Be respectful and concise (1–2 pages for written testimony).

 • Use personal examples — legislators respond strongly to real stories.

 • State clearly whether you support or oppose proposed reforms.

 • End with a specific request (e.g., “Please support legislation to cap yearly property tax increases”).

 

Testimony Template Letter

 

(For submission online or as written testimony)

 

Missouri House Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform

[Insert Date]

 

Dear Chairman Taylor and Members of the Committee,

 

My name is [Your Full Name], and I live in [City/County], Missouri. I appreciate the opportunity to submit testimony regarding property tax reform.

 

I am writing today to [support/oppose/provide information] on this issue because property taxes have a direct impact on me and my community.

 

Personal Impact

 • In my situation, [describe your experience: rising assessments, financial strain, difficulty budgeting, impact on retirement, effect on small business or farm, etc.].

 • These increases have made it difficult for [my family / seniors in my neighborhood / local businesses] to keep up.

 

Concerns

 • Property tax increases are often unpredictable and place an unfair burden on citizens.

 • Assessments vary widely between counties, which creates inconsistency and a sense of unfairness.

 • Many taxpayers do not fully understand how assessments are calculated or how to appeal them.

 

Recommendations

 

I respectfully ask the Committee to consider reforms such as:

 • Placing reasonable caps on annual property tax increases to protect homeowners.

 • Ensuring assessment transparency so every taxpayer understands their bill.

 • Providing relief programs or exemptions for seniors, veterans, and low-income households.

 • Establishing uniform assessment practices across Missouri counties to ensure fairness.

 

Conclusion

 

Missourians should not fear losing their homes, farms, or businesses because of unpredictable or excessive property tax increases. I urge you to adopt reforms that ensure fairness, transparency, and stability for all taxpayers.

 

Thank you for your time and your service to our state.

 

Respectfully submitted,

[Your Name]

[City/County, Missouri]

[Optional: Phone/Email]

Letter of recommendation - Judge Joe Hensley (time sensitive)