A guide to Missouri’s ballot issues
Missouri voters will see more than half a dozen statewide measures on this November’s ballot. Half of them deal with medical marijuana, but the list includes raises to the state minimum wage and gas tax.
Below is a guide to each measure, including the official text of the measure and the “fair ballot language.” All Missouri ballot measures include the “official ballot title,” or the legal ballot language, and the “fair ballot language,” a version meant to lay out practical effects of the measure in easy-to-understand terms.
Amendment 1
Amendment 1 bills itself as Clean Missouri and aims to make sweeping changes to the legislative redistricting process while also limiting campaign contributions and lobbyist gifts.
The measure has drawn opposition largely from conservative political voices who criticize it as a Democratic plan to win more seats in the General Assembly. Supporters say gerrymandering has solidified government control in one party and that the Capitol needs further cleaning up from the influences of big money and lobbyists.
The measure survived a legal challenge to stay on the November ballot.
Official Ballot Title
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
Change process and criteria for redrawing state legislative districts during reapportionment;
change limits on campaign contributions that candidates for state legislature can accept from individuals or entities;
establish a limit on gifts that state legislators, and their employees, can accept from paid lobbyists;
prohibit state legislators, and their employees, from serving as paid lobbyists for a period of time;
prohibit political fundraising by candidates for or members of the state legislature on State property;
and require legislative records and proceedings to be open to the public?
State governmental entities estimate annual operating costs may increase by $189,000. Local governmental entities expect no fiscal impact.
Fair Ballot Language
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to change the process and criteria for redrawing state legislative district boundaries during reapportionment (redistricting). Currently, bipartisan house and senate commissions redraw boundaries and those maps are adopted if 70% of the commissioners approve the maps. This amendment has a state demographer chosen from a panel selected by the state auditor redraw the boundaries and submit those maps to the house and senate commissions. This amendment would then allow changes to the demographer’s maps only if 70% of the commissioners vote to make changes and do so within two months after receiving the maps from the state demographer. The amendment also reduces the limits on campaign contributions that candidates for state senator or state representative can accept from individuals or entities by $100 per election for a senate candidate and $500 for a house candidate. The amendment creates a $5 limit on gifts that state legislators and their employees can accept from paid lobbyists or the lobbyists’ clients, and prohibits state legislators and their employees from serving as paid lobbyists for a period of two years after the end of their last legislative session. The amendment prohibits political fundraising by candidates for or members of the state legislature on State property. The amendment further requires all legislative records and proceedings to be subject to the state open meetings and records law (Missouri Sunshine Law).
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding redistricting, campaign contributions, lobbyist gifts, limits on lobbying after political service, fundraising locations, and legislative records and proceedings.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
Amendment 2
Amendment 2 is one of three competing ballot measures seeking to legalize and regulate medical marijuana in Missouri.
The measure is promoted by a group called New Approach Missouri and would place a 4 percent tax on medical marijuana sales. In addition to funding the regulatory apparatus, the tax and licensing fees would go to veterans’ health programs. Amendment 2 would allow those with a prescription to grow up to six plants at home. Neither of the other amendments allow home growing.
A variety of conditions and illnesses would qualify for a prescription under the three marijuana proposals, including cancer, epilepsy, chronic migraines, severe chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder. All three measures also include provisions for having more qualifying conditions added down the road, either through state regulation or through individual doctors, in the case of Amendment 2 and Proposition C.
Official Ballot Title
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and create regulations and licensing/certification procedures for marijuana and marijuana facilities;
impose a 4 percent tax on the retail sale of marijuana;
and use funds from these taxes for health and care services for military veterans by the Missouri Veterans Commission and to administer the program to license/certify and regulate marijuana and marijuana facilities?
This proposal is estimated to generate annual taxes and fees of $18 million for state operating costs and veterans programs, and $6 million for local governments. Annual state operating costs are estimated to be $7 million.
Fair Ballot Language
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes under state laws. This amendment does not change federal law, which makes marijuana possession, sale and cultivation a federal offense. This amendment creates regulations and licensing procedures for medical marijuana and medical marijuana facilities — dispensary, cultivation, testing and marijuana-infused product manufacturing facilities. This amendment creates licensing fees for such facilities. This amendment will impose a 4 percent tax on the retail sale of marijuana for medical purposes by dispensary facilities. The funds from the license fees and tax will be used by the Missouri Veterans Commission for health and care services for military veterans, and by the Department of Health and Senior Services to administer the program to license/certify and regulate marijuana and marijuana facilities.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution as to the use of marijuana.
If passed, this measure will impose a 4 percent retail sales tax on marijuana for medical purposes.
Amendment 3
Amendment 3 would take medical marijuana are a far greater rate — 15 percent — than the other two measures dealing with the subject. It would also tax businesses that sell prescribed marijuana based on the weight of wholesale sales.
The money would use funds from the taxes to fund a research institute that would look for cures and treatments for cancer and other diseases.
The campaign has been largely self-funded by Brad Bradshaw, a Springfield lawyer and physician. If Amendment 3 passes, Bradshaw would be in charge of appointing the committee that would determine how the money is spent.
Official Ballot Title
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and create regulations and licensing procedures for marijuana and marijuana facilities;
impose a 15 percent tax on the retail sale of marijuana, and a tax on the wholesale sale of marijuana flowers and leaves per dry-weight ounce to licensed facilities;
and use funds from these taxes to establish and fund a state research institute to conduct research with the purpose of developing cures and treatments for cancer and other incurable diseases or medical conditions?
This proposal is estimated to generate annual taxes and fees of $66 million. State governmental entities estimate initial implementation costs of $186,000 and increased annual operating costs of $500,000.
Fair Ballot Language
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes under state laws. This amendment does not change federal law, which makes marijuana possession, sale and cultivation a federal offense. This amendment makes Brad Bradshaw (the contact person on this initiative petition) the research chairperson of a newly created research institute that is funded by fees and taxes on medical marijuana. Brad Bradshaw will select the members of the board that will govern the research institute, which will issue regulations and licensing procedures for medical marijuana and medical marijuana facilities — dispensary, cultivation, and marijuana-infused product manufacturing facilities. This amendment creates licensing fees for such facilities. The amendment imposes a 15 percent tax on the retail sale of marijuana for medical purposes by dispensary facilities and a tax on the wholesale sale of marijuana flowers and leaves by cultivation facilities. The funds generated by the license fees and taxes will be used by the research institute for licensing and regulating marijuana and marijuana facilities, land acquisition and development, and conducting research with the purpose of developing cures and treatments for cancer and other incurable diseases.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution as to the use of marijuana.
If passed, this measure will impose an 15 percent retail sales tax on marijuana for medical uses and a wholesale sales tax on marijuana sold by medical marijuana cultivation facilities.
Amendment 4
Amendment 4 has drawn far less attention than the other issues on the November ballot statewide. The measure would relax restrictions on advertising bingo games and on who can run those games.
No campaign committees have been formed to advocate for or against the proposal.
Official Ballot Title
Do you want to amend the Missouri constitution to:
remove language limiting bingo game advertising that a court ruled unenforceable; and
allow a member of a licensed organization conducting bingo games to participate in the management of bingo games after being a member of the organization for six months instead of the current two years?
State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings from this proposal.
Fair Ballot Language
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to remove language limiting bingo game advertising that a court ruled was unconstitutional and not enforceable. This amendment would also allow a member of a licensed organization conducting bingo games to participate in the management of bingo games after being a member of the organization for six months. Currently, the constitution requires two years of membership.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding bingo games.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
Proposition B
Proposition B brings the fight over a higher minimum wage to Missouri voters. The measure would gradually increase the state minimum wage to $12 per hour in 2023, starting with an increase from the current $7.85 to $8.60 in 2019.
Supporters say the increase would boost the economy by giving low-paid workers more to spend and would make it easier for those workers to afford the basics. Opponents worry it could drive up prices or have other adverse effects on businesses.
Official Ballot Title
Do you want to amend Missouri law to:
increase the state minimum wage to $8.60 per hour with 85 cents per hour increase each year until 2023, when the state minimum wage would be $12.00 per hour;
exempt government employers from the above increase;
and increase the penalty for paying employees less than the minimum wage?
State and local governments estimate no direct costs or savings from the proposal, but operating costs could increase by an unknown annual amount that could be significant. State and local government tax revenue could change by an unknown annual amount ranging from a $2.9 million decrease to a $214 million increase depending on business decisions.
Fair Ballot Language
A “yes” vote will amend Missouri statutes to increase the state minimum wage rate as follows:
$8.60 per hour beginning January 1, 2019;
$9.45 per hour beginning January 1, 2020;
$10.30 per hour beginning January 1, 2021;
$11.15 per hour beginning January 1, 2022; and
$12.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2023.
The amendment will exempt government employers from the above increases, and will increase the penalty for paying employees less than the minimum wage.
A “no” vote will not amend Missouri law to make these changes to the state minimum wage law.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
Proposition C
Proposition C is the third of three Missouri’s medical marijuana initiatives. While the other two would enshrine medical marijuana in the state constitution, Prop C would legalize the drug through state statute.
It includes the smallest tax on retail sale at 2 percent and the money would go to veterans’ services, drug treatment, early childhood education and public safety in cities with dispensaries.
Official Ballot Title
Do you want to amend Missouri law to:
remove state prohibitions on personal use and possession of medical cannabis (marijuana) with a written certification by a physician who treats a patient diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition;
remove state prohibitions on growth, possession, production, and sale of medical marijuana by licensed and regulated facilities, and a facility’s licensed owners and employees;
impose a 2% tax on the retail sale of medical marijuana;
and use funds from this tax for veterans’ services, drug treatment, early childhood education, and for public safety in cities with a medical marijuana facility?
State government entities estimate initial and one-time costs of $2.6 million, annual costs of $10 million, and annual revenues of at least $10 million. Local government entities estimate no annual costs and are expected to have at least $152,000 in annual revenues.
Fair Ballot Language
A “yes” vote will amend Missouri statutes to allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes under state laws. This amendment does not change federal law, which makes marijuana possession, sale and cultivation a federal offense. This amendment creates regulations and licensing procedures for medical marijuana and medical marijuana facilities — dispensary, cultivation and production, and testing facilities. This amendment creates licensing fees for such facilities. This amendment will impose a 2 percent tax on the retail sale of marijuana for medical purposes by dispensary facilities. The funds from the license fees will go to the Division of Liquor Control to administer the program to license/certify and regulate marijuana and marijuana facilities. The funds from the tax will be used for veterans’ services, drug treatment, early childhood education, and for public safety in cities with a medical marijuana facility.
A “no” vote will not amend Missouri statutes as to the use of marijuana.
If passed, this measure will impose a 2% retail sales tax on marijuana for medical purposes.
Proposition D
Proposition D aims to raise money for Missouri roads by increasing funding for the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The measure would increase the state’s gas tax, which is one of the lowest in the nation, by 10 cents over four years. The tax has not increased since 1996, and tax advocates say revenue is no longer keeping up with inflation. Most of the money would go to the Missouri State Highway Patrol with the rest going to local governments to use on roads. Lawmakers say sending the money to the patrol would free up funds currently going to the patrol that could be used for roads.
Prop D would also exempt Special Olympic, Paralympic and Olympic prizes from state taxes and establish a fund to reduce highway bottlenecks that affect freight shipping. It withstood a court challenge that said the measure included too many unrelated subjects.
Official Ballot Title
Shall Missouri law be amended to fund Missouri state law enforcement by increasing the motor fuel tax by two and one half cents per gallon annually for four years beginning July 1, 2019, exempt Special Olympic, Paralympic, and Olympic prizes from state taxes, and to establish the Emergency State Freight Bottleneck Fund?
If passed, this measure will generate at least $288 million annually to the State Road Fund to provide for the funding of Missouri state law enforcement and $123 million annually to local governments for road construction and maintenance.
Fair Ballot Language
A “yes” vote will amend Missouri statutes to fund the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s enforcement and administration of motor vehicle laws and traffic regulations. The source of the funding will be revenue from an increased state tax on motor fuel (including gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and blended fuel). The current state motor fuel tax rate is seventeen (17) cents per gallon. The amendment will increase the rate as follows:
Nineteen and one-half (19.5) cents per gallon beginning July 1, 2019;
Twenty-two (22) cents per gallon beginning July 1, 2020;
Twenty-four and one-half (24.5) cents per gallon beginning July 1, 2021;
Twenty-seven (27) cents per gallon beginning July 1, 2022.
The amendment will also increase the tax on alternative fuels used for motor vehicles (including compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas, and propane gas). The amendment will increase the rate from seventeen (17) cents to twenty-seven (27) cents per unit equivalent to a gallon of gasoline or diesel beginning January 1, 2026.
The amendment will require the state auditor to audit the state’s use of the revenue generated by these taxes every two years.
Additionally, the amendment will allow a state income tax deduction for the value of any prize or award won in the Olympics, Paralympics, or Special Olympics; and it will create an “Emergency State Freight Bottleneck Fund,” which will be dedicated to financing road improvement projects in the state.
A “no” vote will not amend Missouri statutes to increase the motor fuel tax, exempt certain prizes from state taxes or establish the Emergency State Freight Bottleneck Fund.
If passed, this measure will increase taxes on motor fuel.
