Newton County Missouri Democrats

06/01/2026

06/01/2026

Our monthly meeting will be June 4th at the Conservatory 201 North Wood St. Neosho MO.
Social time 6:00 we will have croissants so bring whatever you would like for filling, or the snack of your choice. Business starts at 6:30.

05/25/2026

When election officials delete names from the voter rolls in an effort to remove outdated registrations or ineligible registrants, this action is called a “purge.” Sometimes officials accidentally purge eligible voters. As a result, these voters may not receive their usual absentee ballot or may show up to vote on Election Day and find that they can’t cast a regular ballot.
CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION!

04/18/2026

Our May Newton County Democratic Central Committee meeting will again be held at the Neosho library community room.

Thursday, May 7, 6:00pm. Our monthly hosted dinner will be “Pie in Your Eye” theme. Bring any kind of pie, sweet or savory, to share. Our host will be serving quiche made with fresh eggs from her free-range chickens.

NEWS:

NEWTON COUNTY VOTERS PASSED THE PROPERTY TAX CAP

From the 4/9 Joplin Globe:

Voters passed a 5% cap or a cap equal to the rate of inflation, whichever is greater, on the property taxes of a person’s primary residence.

· Passed by nearly 68% in Newton County, 62% in Jasper County.

· “Homeowners would have to file an application similar to what older residents have to file for the existing senior property tax freeze.”

· This vote will hamper Newton County’s future ability to provide services such as school districts, fire and ambulance districts, and libraries.

Newton and Jasper counties are included in 40 counties and school districts that have filed a lawsuit against the property tax cap. Both counties are setting up the needed infrastructure for implementing the cap while waiting on the court’s decision.

THE EVERYTHING TAX BILL PASSED THE MO SENATE AT MIDNIGHT

From the 4/19 Missouri Independent:

Rex Sinquefield, Missouri’s most prolific Republican donor, who has poured over $28 million into Missouri politics since 2016, has reason to celebrate this weekend.

Replacing income tax with sales taxes has long been a goal of Sinquefield and thus became the #1 priority of Governor Kehoe. The MO senate passed their version of HJR 174 at midnight Thursday. It now goes back to the MO House for the final vote.

The last step is for a constitutional amendment on the November ballot. Sinquefield, Kehoe and the Republican super-majority want Missouri voters to give future MO legislatures unlimited taxing power with no future votes of the people.

THE SENATE VERSION:

· Directs future legislators to set triggers for cutting income tax rates with the goal of 0% personal income tax.

· Gives the General Assembly a five-year window to decide which goods and services would be taxable.

· Agrees with the House version where earmarked state tax rates (education, parks/soils, conservation, transportation) would be lowered to offset increased sales tax rates.

· Requires city and county governments to divert local tax dollars to the state by reducing local taxes to offset the increased state sales taxes. (House version dictates local tax cuts. Senate version has local governments decide which services they can do away with.)

04/02/2026

Regarding Tax question on April ballot:

Property tax reform provisions in Missouri Senate Bill 3

In an extraordinary legislative session in June 2025, Missouri passed Senate Bill 3 (SB 3)‡, a wide-ranging bill that included stadium financing, disaster tax credits, and significant changes to the state’s property tax system. The property tax provisions offer homeowners potential relief from rising tax bills but have prompted a constitutional lawsuit and raised concerns among political subdivisions that depend on property tax revenue.

SB 3 requires the majority of counties (97 of 114) to place a measure on the ballot by April 2026, allowing voters to decide on property tax credits for eligible homeowners. The bill divides these affected counties into two categories, each with a different set of rules.

Possible implications

For most political subdivisions, such as school districts and cities, property taxes are a vital and stable funding source. For certain special districts like fire districts and libraries, property tax revenues are often their only meaningful revenue source. SB 3 threatens this stability and creates the following possible implications, among others:

Inability to keep pace with rising costs: In five-percent counties, even with growth tied to inflation, annual collections may not keep pace with rising costs for services and materials. In zero-percent counties, revenue is outright capped, which is equivalent to a revenue reduction over time.
Service reductions: Local governments facing stagnant or declining revenues will likely be forced to consider service cuts. Potential impacts include larger class sizes, fewer library programs, reduced fire and emergency services, and weaker infrastructure maintenance.
Uncertainty and complexity: The bill introduces financial uncertainty for political subdivisions that cross county lines and fall under multiple tax rules. Additionally, the complex system has been criticized for being overly convoluted and creating budgetary challenges. Indeed, it will be incredibly challenging for political subdivisions to prepare an annual budget without having the ability to accurately forecast revenues.

03/14/2026

OFFICIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION BALLOT

NEWTON COUNTY, MISSOURI

APRIL 7, 2026



“Shall the County of Newton exempt eligible taxpayers from certain tax increases on eligible taxpayers’ primary residence above the liability incurred during the initial credit year?”



WHAT DOES THIS BALLOT MEASURE MEAN???

Citizens who live in a home which they own will be able to file paperwork with the courthouse that will freeze their property tax rate on that home at the current level. The freeze is effective for one year. The paperwork must be refiled each year to keep the freeze in effect.

This is already in effect in Newton County for seniors aged 62 and up. This ballot measure expands the property tax freeze to all citizens.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This was recently passed by the Missouri legislature, requiring all but three of Missouri’s counties to put the above measure on the April ballot.

If passed, this will impact entities that depend on property taxes to maintain services. Schools, libraries, cities, ambulance districts and fire districts will see reduced revenues. This measure has a detrimental effect on your public school district and local community.

WHAT’S BEHIND THE LEGISLATION

Billionaire-funded groups like Rex Sinquefield’s Show-Me Institute and the Herzog Foundation are well into a coordinated attack on our public schools and communities. Their end goal is to eliminate the taxes they pay and put the burden on ordinary citizens through greatly increased sales taxes on goods and services.

Governor Kehoe and the Republican super-majority in the Missouri legislature are working hand in hand with Missouri’s billionaires.

1. Last year they passed a law eliminating capital gains tax. This reduced the state’s general revenue by five times the predicted amount and benefited 0.08% of Missouri’s richest individuals.

2. On March 10, the House of Representatives voted to put a measure on the ballot that will eliminate personal income tax (65% of the state’s general revenue) and give the legislature full power to set sales taxes on goods, as well as on additional services which are not currently taxed.

3. The legislature passed a bill requiring counties to have a ballot measure to freeze property tax.

RESULTS

Analysis shows that people making over $300,000/year will get a tax break. Billionaires will avoid tens of thousands in taxes yearly. Our public schools and local communities will suffer. Ordinary Missourians will pay more in sales taxes than the income and property taxes that we currently pay.

This is a scheme designed to trick Missouri voters into taking from the poor to give to the rich. Don’t let them get by with it!

03/01/2026

We are hosting a drive-thru petition signing for Respect MO Voters. Thousands of SWMO signatures are still needed to stop the Missouri legislature from taking away citizens’ rights to the Initiative Petition process.

If you have not yet signed, petitions will be available at the following events.

Drive-thru signing: Sunday, March 1, 1:00-3:00 Harbor Freight parking lot, 1150 S Neosho Blvd, Neosho, MO

Missi Hesketh for CongressTown Hall: Thursday, March 5, 6:00pm Conservatory Event Venue, 201 N Wood Street, Neosho

Breakfast at Angel’s Café: Every Wednesday through April 19, 10:00-11:00, Neosho Blvd in Neosho

Breakfast at JJs Café: Every Friday through April 19, 10:00-11:00, Granby MO. (Note the change in time from 10:30 to 10:00)

BE INFORMED

The Respect MO Voters Petition gives citizens the opportunity to vote on an amendment to the Missouri constitution which will stop special interests from deliberately deceiving voters with confusing ballot language to try to trick them. It guarantees all ballot initiatives have clear and fair ballot language, so Missouri voters know exactly what they are voting on.

This constitutional amendment protects a long-storied Missouri tradition. Our state has had the initiative process for the past 117 years and our constitution explicitly states the right to pass constitutional amendments is reserved to the people to ensure the citizens have the ability to be a check and balance to the legislature when they are ignoring our voices. This amendment will ensure that right is protected for future generations of Missourians.

02/01/2026

February 5th is our Newton County Democratic Central Committee meeting. Come join us at 6:00pm at the Conservatory Event Venue, 201 N Wood Street, Neosho. Debbie & Steve Rakes are hosting a baked potato bar for dinner. Bring your favorite topping or a dessert.

Bradley Bos, candidate for Missouri House District 157, Lawrence County, will be the speaker at our meeting. It is vitally important that we support Democratic candidates running for Missouri House and Senate seats.