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MGA’s mission is to monitor the activities of state and local governments. We support legislation and initiatives that strengthen our economy or improve conditions for the commercial property industry. We also oppose measures that threaten the local economy, hurt the prospects for job creation, or harm the direct interests of the industry. MGA was founded in 1985 when leaders discovered that a huge new tax was being imposed on commercial property and it was too late for the industry to have any input. A primary goal of MGA is no more surprises.
MGA has been highly effective influencing governmental decision-making.
A short list of our accomplishments includes:
- Successful in achieving a positive outcome on eminent domain reform. MGA was an integral part of a broad coalition that worked tirelessly with the Missouri Legislature to reform eminent domain statutes in a reasonable manner that would protect private property rights but retain this valuable economic development tool
- Currently the only non-school district, taxpayer plaintiff in the lawsuit pending in Cole County Circuit Court that challenges how Missouri funds public education
- Funded a number a sales ratio studies by the Public Policy Research Center at the University of Missouri – St. Louis that analyzed property tax assessment levels in St. Charles, St. Louis County and St. Louis City.
- Played a significant role in the eight-year battle that forced the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) to refund more than $30 million that was collected unconstitutionally.
- Prevented a municipality from charging commercial property owners on a front foot basis for the repair of major thoroughfares.
- Successfully opposed one community’s efforts to establish a property tax to be levied only against commercial property.
- Played a leading role in amending the Missouri Constitution to permit the establishment of "Neighborhood Improvement Districts."
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