RAYMORE, MO - The Raymore Journal has endorsed the City of Raymore’s Question P on the Aug. 2, 2022, ballot. Read the Raymore Journal endorsement announcement here.

If approved by Raymore voters, Question P will add a local use tax to the purchase of goods from certain online and out-of-state sellers, such as Amazon, at the same rate of the local sales tax on goods purchased in Raymore stores. 

If approved by Raymore voters, revenue generated from a use tax will be used to create new full time positions in the currently understaffed departments of Raymore Police, Public Works and Parks. Current staffing levels in those departments are not sustainable in order to maintain current service levels. Voter approval of Question P will generate an estimated $1.2 million in revenue per year. 

A local use tax eliminates the disparity in tax rates collected by local and out-of-state sellers by imposing the same rate on all sellers. Without a use tax in place, a resident can purchase the same item online that they could purchase from a Raymore store, but they don't have to pay sales tax on the online item. This creates a disadvantage to local businesses because it makes the same product more expensive in a Raymore store due to the local sales tax. The out-of-state sellers, by currently not collecting a use tax, also do not contribute to street maintenance – Raymore streets support multiple delivery trucks daily – or police protection associated with traffic and package thefts. 

The Raymore Journal is the second endorsement of Question P by a local organization. The Raymore Chamber of Commerce endorsed Question P in June.

Learn more about Question P and the City's budget at www.raymore.com/QuestionP or contact Communications Manager Melissa Harmer at mharmer@raymore.com or 816-892-3002.