Missouri farmland owners can breathe a sigh of relief as legislators voted down the State Tax Commission's proposed 5% land tax hike.

"Farmers are already facing a bleak outlook for 2016," said Missouri Corn Growers Association President Morris Heitman of Mound City in a news release. "Net farm incomes are forecast to decrease as much as 38% with no signs of rebounding in the immediate future. We appreciate our elected officials' quick action to prevent further distress."

TAX INCREASE AVERTED: Missouri farmers do not have to worry about in increase in farmland taxes for 2016 as the Missouri General Assembly voted down a proposal by the state's tax commission.

Every two years the State Tax Commission proposes recommended land tax increases. Having just raised tax rates on farm ground in 2014, the Commission proposed in December 2015 another increase of 5% on land grades 1-4, grades primarily representing row crop and good pasture ground. The legislature has the power to prevent the recommendation from becoming law by passing a resolution to disapprove the Tax Commission's recommendation.

Missouri's General Assembly had 60 days to disapprove the proposal through legislative action. Legislators in both the House and Senate filed bills in opposition to the proposed increase.

Calling the timing of the proposal the "most inopportune," Heitman said he was grateful to the sponsors and key leaders in the legislature. He thanked President Pro Tem Ron Richard, Sens. Mike Kehoe and Brian Munzlinger, Speaker Todd Richardson and Rep. Jay Houghton, "who made the resolution and Missouri corn growers a priority this session."