To the editor:

We call for a time out NO vote on Proposition F on the April 7 ballot. 

We have a long history of supporting our fire districts. In 1981, Schneider was credited by newspapers with leading the passage of the Life Support Vehicle tax for the Florissant Fire District ambulance service. Despite this, we are not ready to support any Fire District Proposition F and its proposed 10% increase in our sales tax,* raising sales tax by the whopping 1%. I give it an F.

And what’s the hurry? Why decide this so soon after the Missouri legislature enabled it last year despite strong objections from the municipal league? Why at a low turnout April 7 election? If this is a good idea, it will still be a good idea next year after urban economic experts from UMSL and other universities have analyzed the regional impact.

A 10 % increase in sales tax should never be done in a hurry, and only be considered after numerous public meetings and discussion by all of the stakeholders including residents and business owners. Any property tax rebate would only be for a fraction of the sales tax collected and much of that will go to outstate real estate investors.

Tom Schneider and Bob Nation

Florissant and Chesterfield

Editor’s note: Tom Schneider is the retired mayor of Florissant and Bob Nation is the retired mayor of Chesterfield.

* Schneider clarified that as most taxing areas currently have sales tax rates  between 9% and 10%, a 1% additional tax would represent a 10% increase in the amount of sales tax that people will be required to pay at the cash register, and in many municipalities, also on online purchases.

Clarification: The letter originally stated: “Any communities who have a use tax will also pay 1% more on their internet purchases if F passes.” Proposition F will not affect any existing internet tax or future use tax. The authors of the letter discovered this error and submitted a correction.