Missouri Supreme Court Upholds Constitutionality of the County Sales Tax Law
December 24, 2019Lewis Rice Successfully Represents Municipal Clients in Defense of the County Sales Tax Law before the Missouri Supreme Court
Lewis Rice members John M. Hessel, Robert J. Golterman, and Michael L. Jente successfully represented the Cities of Florissant, Ballwin, Manchester, Webster Groves, and University City (the “Cities”), both at the trial court and on appeal, in a case brought by the City of Chesterfield and its Mayor, Bob Nation, challenging the constitutionality of the County Sales Tax Law, R.S. Mo. 66.600, et seq., applicable throughout St. Louis County. The City of Chesterfield’s lawsuit originally named the State of Missouri and the Director of Revenue as defendants, and the Cities and others intervened in defense of the County Sales Tax Law. The Circuit Court of Cole County, Missouri held that the law was constitutional and on appeal the Missouri Supreme Court affirmed, holding that a rational basis supported both the County Sales Tax Law and the tax revenue distribution formula therein. Rob Golterman argued the matter on behalf of the Cities before the Missouri Supreme Court.
To read more about the case, click under "Resources" below.
John is the long-standing city attorney for Kirkwood and Florissant, Missouri and was recently named the city attorney for Maplewood, Missouri. He advises these cities and other municipalities, fire districts, state and local bonding authorities, and other governmental bodies in a number of complex matters including labor law, Sunshine Law, contractual issues, environmental issues, pension issues, zoning, and traditional litigation cases.
Rob practices in several areas including municipal law, labor and employment law, construction law, commercial litigation, and ERISA litigation. He regularly advises cities and agencies on a number of issues from the Sunshine Law to complex litigation.
Michael regularly represents clients in an array of commercial and civil litigation matters before state and federal courts and administrative agencies. He has successfully represented clients in complex litigation relating to health benefits disputes, employment disputes, breach of contract claims, products liability claims, compliance with various state and federal regulatory schemes, and more.
