Missouri House members have voted to reject a tax plan that would increase property taxes for the best farms.
Property taxes for farms are based on the land's "productive value." Farms are divided into eight groups based on land quality, with the best in Grade 1 and the worst in Grade 8. The Missouri Tax Commission has recommended increasing productive values for the four highest grades.
The property tax changes for 2013 and 2014 take effect unless the Legislature approves a resolution to reject them. House members voted 117-39 on Tuesday to reject the tax proposal.
House member Casey Guernsey, a Republican from Bethany, says flooding and natural disasters have caused problems for agriculture. He says it is a bad time for a tax increase on farmers.