Letters to the Editor: Pension tax, school board policies and the politics of age

City has had plenty of time — let pension tax expire

It is my opinion the initiation of the pension tax was only meant to give the city time to straighten out their budgeting but the city has constantly just ASSUMED that we, the citizens, will keep paying, despite increases to our own personal property taxes and inflationary increases, along with possible Biden college debt relief, not to mention the taxes we will be hit with on his $1 trillion climate change agenda.

The city needs to recognize the pressures of the taxpayers and let this tax end. They have had since 2009 to straighten out the budget to allow for pensions.

It’s kinda like paying for a student’s loans. No one should have to pay for the choices of someone they don’t know who decides to go to college ... Just lower the interest rates on loans and let them pay their own way. They are the ones who are going to benefit financially from a degree.

Companies who have pensions don’t have us paying their pensions. I feel the city needs to adjust their budget spending to fulfill THEIR responsibilities with the taxes paid, like you know, pay as you go, don’t run a deficit you can’t pay ... the citizens need a break! Maybe if there weren’t so many tax abatements (like the C-Street project mentioned April 10) to developers there would be plenty to pay your bills!

Dayna Aust, Springfield

Ideas for improving work of Springfield school board

After the recent SPS Board of Education election is there anything left that a new BOE might agree to in order to better serve the public and improve BOE function? Some have been suggested.

For those citizens bold enough to offer public comments, a more respectful and informational exchange could occur with the BOE adoption of the hearing policy used by the local city council and state legislature. There, three to five minutes are allowed to each speaker and a council member or legislator can inquire of the public speaker. This will increase mutual respect and comprehension by both parties.

Since the NEA represents 80% of SPS employees it would seem common sense and increase mutual respect to provide the NEA with a five-minute comment recognition on the agenda of every BOE meeting. Dialogue is best on smaller issues before major misunderstanding develops. We all live in the same community.

Allow any two BOE members to submit a written request for an agenda topic to be presented at the next one or two meetings. This could increase BOE harmony and productivity.

Finally, require a monthly written report of all the superintendent’s visits to school buildings and monthly faculty meetings of middle and high schools. This will increase communication and cooperation for all with the children and parents as final beneficiaries.

Roy Holand, Springfield

"Us and them" politics hurt us all

“We the people” has become “Us and them people.”

The American political system has devolved into a two-team sports league.

It’s not about “promoting the general welfare.” The economy is jiggered to increase the gap between the very wealthy and the less wealthy.

It’s not about “all men are created equal.” Equality initiatives are labeled “Marxist.”

It’s just identity politics.

Rick Matz, Springfield

Legislature should protect access to U.S.A.-made herbicide

For more than 50 years, glyphosate, the world’s most widely-used herbicide, has enabled American farmers to implement smart farming practices that use fewer resources, saving farmers time and money. Glyphosate is essential to keeping crop yields high, limiting erosion, and helping Missouri farmers compete in an increasingly competitive global market. Manufacturers of this product employ thousands of Missourians.

Unfortunately, out-of-state extremists and trial attorneys are attempting to drive domestic manufacturers of glyphosate out of the market. The endless frivolous lawsuits and red tape they have created could force farmers to make a difficult choice — either purchase foreign-made herbicides, purchase more expensive alternatives or go without and watch production plummet.

The Missouri Legislature has the opportunity to stand up for our farmers, U.S. manufacturers and consumers through SB 1416 and HB 2763. This legislation would ensure that glyphosate remains readily available to our farmers, and that any pesticide registered with the EPA and meeting federal labeling standards will satisfy health and safety warning requirements.

We can’t afford to let out-of-state trial attorneys get rich at the cost of Missouri jobs and Missouri families. According to experts, pesticides and other crop innovations save the average family of four up to 48% on their grocery bill. Without pesticides, crop yields for fruits and vegetables alone could fall by 50%-90%.

We believe this is common-sense legislation that protects Missouri jobs and ensures Missouri farmers can continue to produce affordable, high-quality food.

Dan Mehan, president and CEO, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Biden's age, ability should not be off limits

As the 2024 presidential election kicks into high gear, a lot has been made about the health of President Joe Biden. The last four years have shown the octogenarian president trip on the steps boarding Air Force One, falling off of his bicycle during vacations to Delaware and Camp David, and even when he held a press conference to refute Special Counsel Robert Hur’s accusation that Biden was “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” he confused the president of Egypt, President El-Sisi, with the president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

While one could conveniently argue that former President Trump’s displays of forgetfulness, irregular physical movements, and obesity should not be swept under the rug, it is not partisan to criticize or ponder whether the American people feel comfortable with a president, who assuming he wins re-election in the fall, would be 82 years old on Inauguration Day 2025.

We should demand better from our leaders on both sides of the political spectrum. Regardless of your politics, the Gavin Newsom and Ron DeSantis debate a few months ago should give all Americans hope that we can break this cycle of candidates who are far too old to uphold the rigors of the office. Especially if you are a young person who worries that the politicians in office today do not reflect your generations priorities, this election in November should serve as a reminder to flood the electoral and political process with people of your age group, in order to finally start talking about the issues of tomorrow.

Trey Swaggart, Springfield

Responsible tree harvesting part of conservation efforts

This election year we often hear the phrase “stump speech.” But during April, while we celebrate Earth Month and Arbor Day, “stump” takes on a different meaning.

To the thousands of Missourians in the logging and lumber industry their “stump speech” is how they responsibly harvest the trees that get processed into wood products. Missouri is known as the “Show-Me” State — and the 42,000 in our state’s multi-billion-dollar logging and lumber industry are prepared to do just that.

Not only do trees lock up carbon, but the wood products made from those trees also store carbon for decades. And Missouri’s properly managed tree growth exceeds harvest by 2.5 times.

These managed forests remove the trees that are mature, dying, or overcrowded, opening the canopy for sunlight to hit the forest floor — and allowing young trees to grow and wildlife to flourish.

The logging and lumber industry in Missouri strives for zero waste. From log homes to pallets to oak barrels to charcoal to furniture and flooring, the harvested tree is completely utilized.

And now armed with the facts, Missourians can rest assured they truly are seeing the forest for the trees.

Brian Brookshire, executive director, Missouri Forest Products Association

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Letters to the Editor: Pension tax, school board and aging politicians