Tilley Allows "Stacked Taxes" Fix To Pass House

As outlined in the deal struck late last year by Majority Leader Steve Tilley with the unelected but generous Tom Burcham, the Missouri House has passed legislation to allow local communities to keep their voter-approved general and capital improvement sales taxes. 

The legislation passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority, as it would have last year.  However, Tilley blocked the legislation from being heard by the full House, a move that benefited Burcham, a major donor.  As reported in the Columbia Tribune, Burcham was exploiting an ambiguity in state law to sue local communities.  The legislation passed yesterday will shut down Burcham's suits, and help local communities move forward without fear of a predatory suit by Tilley's friend and donor.

The News-Leader reported in December that Burcham had decided to to end his legal racket, and Tilley and Senate Floor Leader Kevin Engler had agreed to pass the legislative fix and protect local taxpayers.