Thursday, February 22, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Gov. Blunt Applauds Resolution to Prevent Judges from Increasing Taxes on Missourians
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Blunt today commended House members for passing a Resolution to bar state courts from ordering tax increases on Missourians.
“I applaud the House for passing this important Resolution to prevent judges from taxing Missourians without proper legislative approval and I urge the Senate to do the same,” Blunt said. “The possibility that unelected judges could increase taxes without the approval of the people or their elected representatives is outrageous and we need to take the appropriate action to prevent it.”
House Joint Resolution 1 was passed to prevent Missouri courts from following in the footsteps of other courts, including a Missouri federal court and the Kansas Supreme Court, that have ordered tax increases without the approval of voters or the elected members of the Missouri House and Senate.
“In 2004, with my strong support, Missouri protected traditional marriage by putting it beyond the reach of activist state judges,” said Blunt. “Upon Senate approval, this Resolution will give Missourians another opportunity to affirm the most basic principle of American freedom and democratic self-government - that the power to tax is reserved to the people and their elected representatives. Activist judges with an agenda to raise taxes must be barred from trying to seize a power they do not possess.”
Under the Missouri Constitution, only the General Assembly has the power to tax, but Blunt and legislators are concerned that Missouri state judges are willing to disregard the Constitution and order a tax increase on Missourians nonetheless.
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