You know the saying, “You don’t need to make a federal case out of it!” Well, there are some issues that do need to be just that and a couple of those issues that matter to all of us here in St. Charles include: flood plain development and TIF (and any other abbreviated tax giveaways for that matter).
Both of these issues share a common seed that really does call for a federal response to help end the problem; namely, no one community can, or will, limit itself in these areas for the good of the greater community.
With regard to flood plain development, the incessant demands from developers is usually too great for most communities to withstand compared to the seemingly intangible benefits of conservation or buffer zones from possible natural threats.
The federal government has involved itself in some buyouts and restrictions but, it is still possible for towns to shore up flood plains for their developments thereby displacing more water on communities down river. Now, to be sure, the feds are also part of the problem - their efforts to make our mightiest of rivers navigable and the water routes as short as possible have lead to the straightening out of hundreds of, otherwise winding, river-way miles. Today, the Mighty Missouri from Kansas City to Saint Louis alone has literally lost hundreds of miles of its undulating path for such reasons. Some portions of our nation’s rivers are perfectly linear forming sort-of river boulevards and like boulevards speeding up traffic, these river routes help increase the water’s tempo on its way to the oceans.
What do we lose from this? We lose land that is most able to absorb and contain extra water during wet seasons; plant life that filters pollutants; habitat and spawning grounds for wildlife from fish to fowl and agricultural land that is second to none!
Remember the adage, “The government that governs least, governs best?” That may be true concerning its citizens, however, corporations and developers are not citizens, they are for-profits and this is a classic instance where Washington can help prevent self-interests in the form of corporate abuse from hurting others. While I agree that government shouldn’t be involved in the minutia of our lives, the broad issues such as these is where it belongs. Think of good government as leadership or as a parent looking over all of its self-interested kids. Now imagine this statement, “The parent who governs least governs best.” Doesn’t that sound crazy? The insane running the asylum? The parents establish a setting in which children can have both independence and do well without harming their siblings, parents, the house, the car, etc. Like it or not, that’s the role of government (so it’s our job to be the government we desire).
What about tax giveaways (AKA incentives)? These incentives enticing corporations, retailers, and developers to your state, region, county, or city are acting in self-interest and we (the government) allow them to play by these rules! I have always agreed with the county executive on this matter, just not his modus operandi. Suing our own towns and communities for using the tools provided and allowed by the state and federal governments is like punishing the man who takes advantage of writing off his private yacht as long as he pledges its use for civil defense in the case of a foreign power attacking The Lake of the Ozarks (this law is actually on the books). It’s time to change the law!
As before, no one city, county, region, or state can simply refuse to offer these giveaways as long as their neighbor is doing such. Enters Washington...a federal law prohibiting the giveaway of public taxes stops this abuse for everyone! Think of the current inherent unfairness - no individual business owner could even consider approaching his local government and threaten shuttering his shop if he doesn’t get free land, new infrastructure, tax breaks! Only the biggest players, those who are most able to pay, get the freebies!
What we don’t need are endless lawsuits against each other here locally, our state representatives and state senators making laws that apply only to Saint Charles, Saint Peters, or any other singularity! Lawmakers - Republicans and Democrats alike - pass legislation that will protect our land and that will take the first step in removing corporate power over civil government!
