While several business leaders and residents voiced support for Excelsior Springs’ proposed transient guest tax during a recent public hearing, former Missouri State Representative and current pastor Doug Richey was the lone voice arguing against the measure. The pastor said the measure represented an inappropriate expansion of taxation and government involvement in economic development.Richey raised concerns about taxation policy, government spending priorities and the financial impact the measure could have on visitors traveling to Excelsior Springs.Richey, who previously worked on tax policy issues during his time in Jefferson City, said he consistently opposed tax structures he believed disproportionately benefited select businesses or industries.“Afair tax policy is one that equally benefits or is distributed to or taken from everyone, not just a certain select few,” stated Richey. “I am not anti-tourism. I am not anti-economic deve...