Statewide issues lead August ballot
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missourians will cast votes on four statewide ballot issues, ranging from reauthorizing a sales tax for soil and water conservation to eliminating the state income tax.
Amendment 1
Amendment 1 asks voters to reauthorize for 10 years a 1/10-cent statewide sales tax used for soil and water conservation and state parks and historic sites. The tax has won passage every 10 years since its inception in the 1980s.
The sales tax brings in about $140 million annually.
Official Ballot Title:
Shall Missouri continue for 10 years the one-tenth of one percent sales/use tax that is used for soil and water conservation and for state parks and historic sites, and resubmit this tax to the voters for approval in 10 years?
The measure allows continued collection of the existing sales and use tax, which generates revenue of approximately $140 million annually.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will continue for 10 years the one-tenth of one percent sales/use tax that is used for soil and water conservation and for state parks and historic sites. This will be resubmitted to the voters for approval in 10 years.
A “no” vote will not continue this sales/use tax.
If passed, this measure will not increase or decrease taxes.
Amendment 2
Amendment 2 is a statewide question, but it only applies to the few charter counties in the state. No charter counties are located in Mid-Missouri.
The amendment would require all charter counties, including Jackson County, to elect a county assessor. Jackson County has come under fire in recent years for large increases in assessed property values.
Official Ballot Title:
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
- require all charter counties, including Jackson County, to provide for the election of a county assessor; and
- require assessors in all charter counties to comply with any training requirements established by general law?
State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to require that all charter counties, including Jackson County, elect a county assessor and that such assessors comply with training requirements established by state law.
A “no” vote will not change the current constitutional provisions, which exempt Jackson County from the requirement to elect its assessor and do not require charter county assessors to follow training requirements under general law.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
Amendment 4
One of the two big statewide ballot issues this August, Amendment 4 would restructure the rules for a citizen-led petition to become state law.
Current law requires only a majority of voters statewide to approve an initiative petition. Amendment 4 would require that a majority of voters in each of Missouri's congressional districts vote yes.
Official Ballot Title:
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
- Modify current requirements that a statewide majority of voters may approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution;
- Require a majority of voters in each congressional district to approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution; and
- Make available to each voter the full text of initiative petitions with their ballot?
The Department of Corrections estimates increased annual costs of up to $21,817. The Office of State Public Defender estimates an unknown fiscal impact. Other state governmental entities estimate no costs or savings. Local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to:
- modify current requirements of Article III and Article XII that a simple statewide majority of voters may approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution;
- require a majority of voters in each congressional district to approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution; and
- make available to each voter the full text of initiative petitions with their ballot.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to require majority approval in each congressional district for initiative petitions to amend the constitution or make available the full text of initiative petitions with the ballot.
If passed, this measure will not increase or decrease taxes.
Amendment 5
Amendment 5 is a ballot issue with big consequences.
If approved, it would direct the Missouri General Assembly to phase out the state's individual income tax and expand sales and use taxes. Opponents point out that approval would allow taxes on a slew of goods and services that are now tax-free. But supporters say that's outweighed by giving people the power to spend their money how they choose, instead of taking it via income taxes.
Official Ballot Title:
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
- Require legislative phase-out of the individual state income tax based on revenue growth, and authorize the expansion of sales and use taxes;
- Curtail constitutional limits on taxing goods and services; and
- Require local tax rate cuts without reducing school funding if local sales tax revenue increases?
The proposal has no direct impact on state or local tax revenue. If passed, implementing legislation will have an unknown impact to state and local tax revenue. If implemented, state government entities expect a reduction of $57,000 annually in income tax check-off donations and implementation costs of at least $100,000.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to require legislative phase-out and elimination of the individual state income tax based on revenue growth, and authorize the expansion of sales and use taxes; curtail constitutional limits on taxing goods and services; and require local tax rate cuts without reducing school funding if local sales tax revenue increases.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to require legislative phase-out and elimination of the individual state income tax based on revenue growth; and will not authorize the expansion of sales and use taxes.
At this time, the impact on taxes is unknown.
