By Bryant Wolfin, state repesentative
STE. GENEVIEVE, MO — As the elected State Representative for Missouri House District 145, Perry and Ste. Genevieve Counties, I stand firmly in support of the constitutional challenge brought forward by Ste. Genevieve and Iron Counties to defend local taxpayers,local decision-making, and the rule of law in Missouri.
This lawsuit is about accountability.
When government changes the rules in a way that strips local communities of voter-approved funding, it crosses a constitutional line.
In 2021, the Missouri General Assembly enacted legislation that, while intended to modernize online sales tax collections, also expanded local tax exemptions for a select few industries, specifically for utilities and equipment used in mining and manufacturing.
That change dramatically reduced the sales tax base in counties like Ste. Genevieve, where those industries are the backbone of our local economy. Ste. Genevieve and Iron Counties have seen substantial losses in revenue from their voter-approved local taxes, funds that citizens specifically dedicated to roads, law enforcement, community centers, and other essential services.
Yet, despite this loss, the State continues to require our counties to uphold the same state-mandated responsibilities such as providing infrastructure, operating courts, and maintaining public safety, only now with fewer resources to do it. That is not good governance, and it is certainly not constitutional.
That is exactly what our Missouri Constitution, specifically the Hancock Amendment, was designed to prevent. The Hancock Amendment was added to our Constitution to protect taxpayers from government overreach and to ensure the State cannot impose new costs or reduce local revenues without voter consent. It serves as a guardrail, requiring the State to live within its means and to respect the financial autonomy of counties and cities.
If we allow this to go unchallenged, it will send a message that the people of Missouri, along with their local governments, are content with the State operating outside the confines of its constitutional authority.
I commend the county commissioners, our other elected officeholders, and the citizens for having the courage to stand up for the Constitution. This is not about seeking special treatment; it is about insisting that the rules in our Constitution apply equally to everyone, including the General Assembly.
My job is to defend the people of Ste. Genevieve and Perry Counties and their constitutional rights. I will continue working with local officeholders, my colleagues in the General Assembly, and anyone of good faith to ensure counties are not punished by unconstitutional state policy changes.
I support this effort because government at every level must be held accountable.