Great to see! More grassroots activism!
Missouri Campaign for Liberty strongly opposes the giveaway of 15 million dollars through the MHDC, Missouri Housing Development Commission.
Last month, Gov. Jay Nixon and State Treasurer Clint Zweifel proposed that MHDC would pay the property tax for anyone who buys a house in Missouri in 2010. The only limitation is income. You would need to make less than $98,560. Nixon and Zweifel announced they would bring the plan before the Missouri Housing Development Commission on Dec. 18th at the MHDC meeting in Jefferson City.
Quoting from Zweifel’s press release “The funding would come from a [$15 million] reserve fund held by Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) earned through successful management of mortgage loans made to low- and medium-income individuals and families. These reserve funds are not from general revenue, nor subject to the legislature’s appropriation process.” MHDC is a commission operated by the State of Missouri. It is funded by federal and state tax payer dollars. It is just plain wrong to tax low and middle income Missourians and then pay someone else’s 2010 property tax with their money. When did $98,560 household income qualify for welfare in Missouri?
The economic crisis of 2008 was created in part by a housing bubble that pushed folks into home ownership who should have never had loans, and then defaulted on their loans. Why are Governor Nixon and Treasurer Zweifel trying to re-create the housing bubble in 2010?
Missouri has a 1 billion dollar Budget Deficit. Did our Governor suddenly have a bout of amnesia regarding the 1 billion dollar income shortfall in the Missouri State Budget?
If the goal is to get more Missourians into housing, there is a simple proven formula for that: Good paying jobs for Missourians. A business climate to create more jobs is where the Governor should be focusing. That means Less Government Regulation, Less Taxes on Small Businesses and Families, and Less Federal Mandates. When government starts meddling, fairness goes out the window. Please call the MHDC board and tell them to Vote No on redistributing the 15 million slush fund. Their numbers are 816-759-6600 and 314-877-1350.
Related:
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! Nixon Pays Back Top Democrat Official with High Level Appointment
0 responses so far ↓
1 DLW // Dec 16, 2009 at 9:22 am
Link to Missouri Campaign for Liberty – http://www.campaignforliberty.com/usa/MO/
2 Romona Taylor Williams // Dec 16, 2009 at 9:24 am
The first question that comes to my mind is: Why does the state “Treasurer” hold the position of Chair of a supposedly apolitical quasi gov’t agency?!?!?! This unprecendented and unfounded move by the Nixon admin. stands as proof for the need of institutional and systemic reform(s) within the MHDC system. Holding webcast is a first step towards transparency, however, effective decision making on affordable housing issues and investments of taxpayer revenues should have a strong grassroots affordable housing advocates and developers presence at the table.
As it currently stands the top heavy political climate lends to cronyism and unchecked power indicative of the need for systemic change. Housing Finance Agencies are lending institutions that administer and invest billions in taxpayer dollars. Given MHDC’s troublesome history, as cited in the state auditor’s report, public oversight is essential. HFAs are supposed to effectively and equitably finance affordable housing development principally to benefit low and moderate income households. To set the income ceiling at $98,560 when there is a devasting affordable housing crisis in MO, espcially its urban centers, is a direct insult to the thousands of LMI Missourians who have lost their jobs and homes to foreclosure. It is these families who are in need of assistance to pay their mortgages let alone taxes. Twelve million dollars will assist a great number of families who are suffering in this economic downturn. Better yet, use the $12M to close the budget shortfall and save jobs and services.
When elected officials rule in the direct decision making of agencies, such as MHDC, its simply bad for public policy and equitable practices.
First order of reform, restructure MHDC as a Housing Development Fund versus a “political commission”, with an independent board of directors with equal representation of gov’t appointees, mainstream and grassroots members.
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