2008
Missouri LP
Candidates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
John Schultz, Chair
Boone County Libertarian Party
Columbia, MO 65201
E-Mail: boone@lpmo.org
Website: http://boone.lpmo.org

Boone County Libertarians Oppose Some Columbia Sales Tax Propositions

Columbia, MO -- November 3, 2005 -- The Boone County Libertarian Party
(BCLP) opposes three of five Columbia sales tax propositions on the
ballot November 8th.

Columbia has one of the highest sales tax rates in Missouri. The city
sales tax rate is higher than 88% of other taxing districts in the
state. Columbia's sales tax rates are significantly higher than the
sales tax rate in neighboring communities. If all proposed sales tax
measures are approved, Columbia sales tax would increase to a rate 
of 7.475%; contrast that with a sales tax rate of 6.975% in 2000.

City revenues are growing faster than population growth and inflation
combined. City of Columbia revenues have increased at an average rate
of 5.45% over the last ten years, 7.43% in just the last year. Property
taxes collected by the city have more than doubled in the last four years.
It is time to say enough is enough and rein in spending on unnecessary
projects. Columbians deserve better roads before subsidizing a
multipurpose building for the farmers' market or an ice rink.

The recent city survey shows that 86% of respondents were satisfied with
parks and recreation. Only 27% of respondents were satisfied with
flow of traffic/congestion management.

In this time of high gasoline prices, increased heating costs, and larger
property tax bills due to the recent reassessment of real property in Boone
County, Columbia should not be seeking to collect higher taxes from its
citizens. Instead, spending on non-vital projects, such as parks and
recreation, should be reduced and those cost savings passed on to city
residents.

When Columbia has one of the highest sales tax rates in Missouri, the city
needs to set priorities; otherwise Columbia residents will have to do so at the
ballot box on November 8th.  Boone County Libertarians recommend voters vote NO
on Propositions 1, 2, and 5. This would reduce Columbia's sales tax rate to 7.25%.  
   
Additional information can be found on the Boone County Libertarian
Party website at http://boone.lpmo.org/SalesTax/

The Boone County Libertarian Party is affiliated with the Missouri
Libertarian Party, one of three established political parties in
Missouri.

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