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Bill would close loophole officials used to disregard children’s services initiative
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – House Minority Leader Ashley Aune on Thursday filed legislation to close a legal loophole the Platte County Commission has used to block implementation of a local property tax county voters approved in November with 56 percent support to fund mental health services for children.
“When voters agree to tax themselves to protect the welfare of children, their wishes must be respected,” said Aune, D-Kansas City. “Elected officials who don’t like an electoral outcome should have no ability to thwart it. My legislation simply closes a legal loophole to guarantee the will of voters is carried out.”
House Bill 1530 clarifies that if a county’s voters approve establishing a local Children’s Services Fund and corresponding property tax to support it, then county officials must implement the tax. Because existing law says counties “may” implement a children’s services tax upon voter approval, Platte County officials claim action on their part in optional. About a dozen Missouri counties have such a tax, which is authorized under state law to provide local funding to assist children with mental health needs.
If Aune’s legislation becomes law, it not only would apply to the Platte County situation but also prevent officials in other counties from attempting to block children services taxes their voters might approve in the future. In the meantime, supporters of the Platte County tax have filed a lawsuit seeking to compel the county commission to implement it.
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