Bob Foos
Two local items of interest – unregulated fiber cable installation and abandonment of the Webb City Senior Citizens Center – were among those discussed Friday during the Eggs and Issues brunch at the Nexus Center in Webb City.
The four state legislators attending were Sen. Jill Carter, and state representatives Bob Bromley (162nd Dist.), Cathy Jo Loy (163rd), Ann Kelley (127th) and Lane Roberts (161st).
Carl Francis, Webb City city administrator, said it’s bad enough that the legislature won’t allow cities to limit the number of companies install cable in the city easements – now there’s a pending law that would force cities replace cable when working on the easements.
“I’m sorry, that’s a little crazy,” Francis told the lawmakers.
He and Mayor Lynn Ragsdale pointed out that there are now four companies installing cable in the city’s easements.
Bromley said there’s not much “appetite” at the Capitol for the bill to make cities responsible for replacing cable in easements.
Several Webb Citians asked the legislators for help in keeping Webb City’s nutrition site open. Area Agency on Aging Region X has scheduled it to no longer serve meals after April 10. .
Leslie Brown accused the agency of “discriminating against Webb City. “Why are Carthage and Carl Junction’s fine and ours is not?”
Regarding the bill to swap the income tax for increased sales tax, the legislators framed it as giving taxpayers a choice.
Kelley said Gov. Mike Kehoe’s argument that doing away with the income tax would keep from the state’s economy from stagnating “resonated with me.”
Brenten Byrd, superintendent of the Webb City R-7 School District, said, “We want some idea of where this is going. You’re asking us to vote without knowing the plan.”
Roberts said that if the matter comes to a statewide vote, the legislature is asking, “Do you want us to invest the time” in coming up with a plan.
Bromley said he believes the additional sales tax needed to replace the income tax revenue would be harmful to some people, especially those who aren’t paying income tax now.
Carter and Loy are the only legislators running for another term. Bromley, Kelley and Roberts have served all of the terms they are allowed.
Also in attendance was Roger Koch, an candidate for Bromley’s seat.
