Jefferson City's Facebook posting supporting a gubernatorial veto of a legislative tax cut was inappropriate on at least three counts.
The Facebook posting by City Administrator Nathan Nickolaus was removed last week, within hours of an inquiry by a News Tribune reporter. The removal is evidence of second thoughts and/or differing opinions among city officials.
Our primary concern is Jefferson City jeopardizes its working relationship with the state when the city takes a stand on divisive political issues.
The state tax cut that will be a topic during next week's veto session certainly qualifies as a divisive issue.
Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed a Republican tax cut bill and subsequently has held press conferences throughout the state to convince Missourians the sky will fall on state services - education, health care, jobs - if his veto is overridden.
Tax cut supporters, largely Republicans and businesses groups, have conducted a similar publicity campaign to persuade Missourians they deserve a tax cut, which also will attract and retain businesses and accelerate the economic engine of job creation.
When the city chooses sides, however, it risks alienating some contingent - in this case, majority Republican lawmakers - of state government.
The city and state have a symbiotic relationship. An ongoing example is the effort to develop - or at least preserve deteriorating historic buildings at - the Missouri State Penitentiary site.
Nickolaus said the Facebook posting was prompted by a request from the Missouri Municipal League and fears the governor will follow through on his projected downsizing of state government if the tax cut prevails.
Nickolaus said, "I really see this as an economic development issue, really more than a political issue."
Fair enough, but if it is an economic development matter, shouldn't pressure come from the group that holds the city's economic development contract - the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce? That, of course, could set up a philosophical conflict between a tax-supported municipal government and its economic development contractor, a pro-business group.
And, if the city decides to take a stand on state issues, shouldn't that stand be reflected by a resolution approved by a majority of the 10-member City Council, not a single paid public servant?
That was the opinion voiced by Mayor Eric Struemph, who characterized the Facebook posting as a "policy issue" that "should be something the City Council votes on."
In the future, we encourage Jefferson City officials to be more circumspect about carrying bags for the Missouri Municipal League and to consider the ramifications of its actions.