Greg Sharpe Talks Amendment 5 at 50th Annual Lewis County Fair and Rural Missouri Concerns
LEWIS COUNTY, Mo. — Greg Sharpe, a Republican candidate for Missouri Senate District 18, joined Eric and Wes with the Lewis County Scoop during the 50th annual Lewis County Fair for a short interview focused on the fair, 4-H, Amendment 5, Amendment 4 and concerns facing rural Missouri.
Sharpe, a Lewis County native, said one of his favorite parts of the Lewis County Fair is the 4-H sale. He said he did not grow up with 4-H himself, but has come to appreciate the organization and what it teaches young people.
“The idea that 4-H is such a great organization and what it teaches young people,” Sharpe said. “The sale is kind of the conclusion of the week.”
He said the livestock sale gives 4-H members a reward for their work throughout the year, and many use the money for college or future expenses. The former state representative also said 4-H, FFA and University of Missouri Extension continue to play an important role in keeping county fairs strong across rural Missouri.
“That has really kept Extension relevant in the rural areas,” he said.
When asked about fair food, Sharpe said he likes ice cream and lemon shakeups, and also complimented the food offered by the American Legion and 4-H booths.
The conversation then turned to ballot issues, with Amendment 5 becoming the main focus.
“I voted against it in the House,” Sharpe said. “It went to the Senate with a three-year waiver of the Hancock Amendment to allow tax increases. It came back from the Senate with a five-year waiver. I voted against it again.”
Sharpe said Amendment 5 is one of the most important issues on the ballot. He said he voted against the proposal in the Missouri House when it was known as HJR 173 and voted against it again after it returned from the Senate with a longer waiver of the Hancock Amendment.
“I voted against it in the House,” Sharpe said. “It went to the Senate with a three-year waiver of the Hancock Amendment to allow tax increases. It came back from the Senate with a five-year waiver. I voted against it again.”
Sharpe said he believes the proposal raises too many concerns for rural areas, agriculture, small businesses, senior citizens and low-income residents.
In his view, eliminating or reducing the income tax without more detailed guidance could shift more of the tax burden onto sales taxes and services.
“When you start taxing services and open it up for that, and just sales tax on a lot of things, it opens it up for a lot of ag exemptions that we’ve had,” he said.
The Senate candidate said agriculture operates on low margins, and he worries rural areas would not be able to withstand pressure from suburban legislators looking for new revenue.
He also raised concerns about farm equipment, repairs, fuel, diesel, bulldozing, earthwork and other services that could become more expensive if sales taxes were expanded.
“If you have an extra 9 or 10 percent surcharge on your services, it’ll put you out of business,” he said.
Sharpe said the proposal may sound appealing at first because voters will hear the phrase “eliminate income tax,” but he believes the details matter.
“If you have an extra 9 or 10 percent surcharge on your services, it’ll put you out of business,” – Greg Sharpe
“Sounds great on the surface,” he said. “The devil’s in the details.”
He also compared the proposal to tax changes attempted in Kansas under former Gov. Sam Brownback, saying that experience created major political and economic problems there.
“I was against it before and I’m still against it,” Sharpe said.
The interview also touched on Amendment 4, which deals with Missouri’s initiative petition process and proposed changes to how constitutional amendments are approved.
Sharpe said he plans to vote for Amendment 4 but also described it as a very strong measure. He said he worries the public reaction to Amendment 5 could affect support for Amendment 4.
“I’m afraid the hangover from five, that five may lose two to one, will probably drag four with it,” he said.
Sharpe said Missouri’s Constitution has become too large and that many issues should be handled through state statute instead of being placed in the Constitution. He said voters can remove lawmakers if they do not like a statute, but constitutional changes are much harder to undo once they are approved.
“A lot of things ought to be in statute more so than in the Constitution,” he said.
The conversation also returned to the Lewis County Fair and its importance to the community.
Sharpe said he had already attended the Macon County 4-H sale and Knox County’s sale before stopping at the Lewis County Fair. He said county fairs give young people valuable experiences and continue to bring communities together.
“It’s just a great experience for all the youth,” he said.
He also talked about the fair’s long history, saying he could remember the early years of the Lewis County Fair and has watched new generations step up to keep it going.
“Every time I think it’s just about going to die out, a new generation has stepped up,” he said. “Good people attract other good people.”
Sharpe also spoke positively about the work of the Lewis County Scoop, saying local media efforts like the Lewis County Scoop are becoming an important part of how people get information.
“You all are the new media,” he said.
Before the interview ended, the discussion briefly touched on agriculture and business experience. Sharpe said he has been endorsed by Farm Bureau and pointed to his years in agriculture and business as part of what shaped his approach to public service.
“I’ve been a business person since I was in college,” he said.
He also credited mentors in Lewis County who helped him early in life and said he has tried to pass that same support on to others.
Sharpe closed by thanking Eric, Wes and the Lewis County Scoop, then said he expected to talk with them again before the Aug. 4 primary election.
You can follow Greg on the campaign trail at https://www.facebook.com/SharpeforMissouri
The interview is part of the Lewis County Scoop’s effort to provide voters with direct access to candidates running for public office. The Lewis County Scoop does not endorse any candidate. Podcast interviews and articles are provided for informational purposes only so voters can hear directly from the candidates and make their own decisions.
