The Post-Dispatch’s headline story Nov. 19, 2025 (Senior’s) Tax Freeze Will Cost School’s Millions story bemoans County school districts ‘loss’ of an estimated $ 19.6 Million in tax revenues while grappling with increased costs. To blame purported school budget woes on the Senior’s tax freeze misses the mark.
Indeed, St. Louis area schools have gained a windfall in tax revenues during the past ten years due to accelerating home valuations, which in turn increases real estate taxes that fund our schools.
From 2015 to 2025, the Federal Reserve reports that St. Louis area home values have increased approximately 83%, while the Consumer Price Index reports ‘only’ a 37% price increase in that same time frame. Ergo, property tax revenues from increased home values have increased at double the rate of overall inflation.
Government entities abhor a financial vacuum, and will spend whatever they receive. School Districts are no different; they just have our children as a screen from critical analysis of tax revenues increases and a corresponding increase in spending.
Support of above from:
The Federal Reserve House Pricing Index for St. Louis has increased 83%–more than double the CPI (https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/ATNHPIUS41180Q)
11/26/2025
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Bill McClellan’s Column Rooting Against Old People, ‘jumps to seclusions’.
First, McClellan contends that a county tax freeze should not apply to Seniors because most of us—retired Seniors and working folk—all subsist on ‘fixed incomes’. Apples and Bowling Balls. Seniors’ fixed incomes visa vie social security total far less than what they once earned on a ‘fixed income’ salary.
Second, we have noticed that house values continue to climb; the county re-assesses our homes every two years, to tie in an increase our real estate taxes ranging from 5 to 10% annually.
Third, Mr. McClellan resides on castaway island when he suggested that we do not want to pay taxes for school children—which we have done for 40 years—as well as for sewers, county debt, etc. However, Seniors will continue to pay substantial taxes for the above; instead, the tax amount we pay will mercifully be frozen at the current level rather than suffering continual increases.
7/17/2025