Missouri - November will give voters the opportunity to decide important races for the presidency, statewide offices, and other state and local offices and issues. Missourians will also have the opportunity to decide several ballot measures that could make important changes to the way the state operates. Ranging in topic from voter identification to tax increases on cigarettes, the ballot issues represent the efforts of the legislature and the initiative petition process, as well as the state constitution, to empower voters to decide important issues for the state.
These races and issues make it extremely important that voters turn out to make their voices heard on November 8.
A detailed overview of each of the ballot issues is included below.
Constitutional Amendment 1 – Missouri’s Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax
Constitutional Amendment 1 will give Missourians the opportunity to decide if the state should continue its one-tenth of one percent sales/use tax that is used to support soil and water conservation, and for state parks and historic sites. The tax was first approved by voters in 1984, and then again in 1988, 1996, and 2006. The renewal of the tax is re-submitted to voters every 10 years under the state constitution. The tax generates approximately $90 million each year for soil and water conservation, and for the operation of the state park system.
Supporters of the tax point out that more than 61,000 conservation practices have been implemented through $348 million in cost-share grant projects since the tax was last renewed in 2006. The funds have helped to prevent millions of tons of soil from eroding into Missouri’s rivers and lakes. Funding is also utilized to maintain and improve Missouri’s 88 parks and historic sites.
Constitutional Amendment 2 – Campaign Contribution Limits
If approved by voters, Constitutional Amendment 2 will re-establish campaign contribution limits in Missouri. The state previously had limits in place that were approved by voters in 1994. The limits were repealed by the General Assembly in 2008.
Constitutional Amendment 2 would limit contributions to individual candidates to $2,600 per election. It would limit contributions to political parties to $25,000 each election. The amendment is also designed to prevent individuals and entities from intentionally concealing the source of the contributions. Additionally, the amendment would create a complaint process and penalties for violating its requirements.
Supporters of the amendment say it is important to restore limits so that large donors do not have too much influence in the political realm. Opponents say the current system ensures transparency in the system and a return to limits will only cause large donors to hide their contributions by funneling them through various political committees.
Constitutional Amendment 3 – Cigarette Tax Increase for Early Childhood Education
Constitutional Amendment 3 is one of two proposals on the ballot that would increase the tax on cigarettes. Amendment 3 would increase taxes on cigarettes until 2020 when the total increase would reach 60 cents per pack of 20. The amendment also would create a 67-cent per pack fee for wholesalers to pay on certain cigarettes.
If approved by voters the amendment would generate between $263 million and $374 million each year. The additional revenues would be placed in an Early Childhood Health and Education Trust Fund and utilized for early childhood education.
Supporters of the proposal say Missouri lags behind other states in providing state-funded preschool programs. They also note that Missouri currently has the lowest tax on cigarette sales in the country. Missouri currently taxes cigarettes at the rate of 17 cents per pack tax while the national average is at $1.65 per pack. Opponents have raised concerns that the proposal is a “tax scheme” that will divert money away from public K-12 schools and allow for public funds to be used by private schools. They also note that language in the proposal would restrict the funding from being used for the enforcement of tobacco laws and smoking cessation programs. Additionally, the funds raised by the measure would be allocated by an unelected commission rather than by the normal appropriations process.
Proposition A – Cigarette Tax Increase for Transportation Infrastructure
The second cigarette tax increase proposal on the November ballot would slowly increase the tax per pack and then use the additional revenue to fund transportation infrastructure projects in Missouri. Proposition A would increase the tax on each pack of cigarettes by 13 cents in 2017, by 5 cents in 2019, and by another 5 cents in 2021. The total increase would amount to 23 cents for a total tax in Missouri of 40 cents per pack of 20. The proposal would also increase the tax that sellers pay on other tobacco products by 5 percent of the manufacturer’s invoice price.
When fully implemented, the tax increases would generate approximately $95 million to $103 million each year. The money would then be placed in a Transportation Infrastructure Fund to be used for road repairs throughout the state.
Both tax increase measures have been opposed by groups like the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association, which say neither tax increase is big enough. Some groups also take issue with the fact the campaigns for both measures are supported by tobacco companies. Constitutional Amendment 3 has received financial support from big tobacco companies like R.J. Reynolds, while Proposition A has received support from smaller cigarette companies. The small companies have opposed Constitutional Amendment 3 because of the 67 cents per pack fee increase that is directed at them. Backers of Amendment 3 say the fee increase is meant to close a loophole that has allowed small companies to avoid making payments to 46 states mandated by a multi-state court settlement to help offset Medicaid costs.
If both measures were to be approved by voters, Missouri law says the proposal with the greater number of affirmative votes would take effect, but the final outcome would likely be decided in court.
Constitutional Amendment 4 – Prohibition on New Sales and Use Taxes
Constitutional Amendment 4 would prohibit state or local sales or use taxes on services. In effect, the proposal would ensure that governmental entities do not create new taxes on services such as a haircut or a repair service for a vehicle.
In recent years states like North Carolina and Washington have enacted taxes on services. North Carolina’s new tax extends to services like auto repair, sign painting, and some heating and plumbing work. States have enacted the new taxes in an effort to make up for lagging revenues from lower sales tax collections. Amendment 4 is designed to ensure similar taxes cannot be put into place in Missouri. The amendment has been supported by business organizations such as the Missouri Bankers Association, the Missouri Press Association, and the Missouri Association of Realtors, which circulated the petition to put the amendment on the ballot.
Constitutional Amendment 6 – Voter Identification
Constitutional Amendment 6 will allow voters to decide if the Missouri Constitution should be changed to allow a system of voter identification. If approved by voters, legislation approved by the Missouri General Assembly would then implement the system of voter identification. The new law would require voters to present a specified form of identification in order to vote in a public election. Valid forms of identification would include photo IDs issued by the state, the federal government or the military. The proposal also would require the state to pay for individuals to obtain a valid ID if they do not have one, or to obtain documents necessary for an ID. Additionally, the new law contains a provision that would allow a voter without a valid photo ID to vote with a regular ballot by showing another form of identification.
Supporters of the voter identification system say it is important to protect the integrity of the elections system. They say requiring a photo ID will prevent voter fraud at the polling place by requiring each voter to prove that they are who they say they are. They also note the provisions of the new law make it easy for anyone without an ID to obtain one. Opponents of the measure say a system of voter identification will disenfranchise voters who do not have a photo ID, or the means to easily obtain one. They also say there are no proven cases of voter fraud to warrant the creation of a voter ID system.
(TARS) is organizing and looking for great teenagers to join!
TARS is a club for teens ages 13-19 in middle school and high school who are interested in politics and government!
They meet monthly and their meetings move around the county to allow everyone an opportunity to be a part of this group! You are not required to attend every meeting but they do ask you to be involved in the events near your home.
If you are interested and would like more information please call or text Tila Hubrecht (club sponsor) at (573) 820-6052 or email tilahubrecht@gmail.com
Some of the things they do: Walk in parades, staff fair booths, participate in phone banks, hand out campaign literature…and have fun!
Congressman Jason Smith Capitol Report:
Why Risk This?
September 23rd, 2016
1,811. It was learned this week that was the number of illegal aliens who were ‘mistakenly’ granted American citizenship by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. All of these 1,811 illegal immigrants now turned American citizens were previously ordered to be deported or removed from the U.S. for various reasons, including criminal activity and because their home countries were flagged as ‘special interest countries’ or threats to the United States. This is not only unacceptable, but it’s horrifying. Your federal government, the single entity responsible for the safety of millions of American families is actually doing the opposite – putting them more at risk.
Just this past weekend, twenty-nine people were injured when a bomb exploded in New York City and nine people were victims of a stabbing at a mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Both of these attacks were ones of terror. More must be done to strengthen our national security to ensure that those who wish to do Americans harm don’t have that opportunity.
Unfortunately we see the opposite happening. While hundreds scheduled for deportation are now wrongfully granted American citizenship because of an error in fingerprint tracking, the Obama Administration continues to push forward with a plan to ship more and more terrorists from American custody back to the battlefield to commit atrocities against our brave military men and women and innocents across the globe. Simply put, the Obama White House continues to ignore the evidence that nearly one-in-three former detainees return to their jihadist activity upon their release. In an interview last December, with 653 confirmed terrorists once held in Guantanamo Bay already released, President Obama stated, “we assume that there are going to be -out of four, five, six hundred people that get released- a handful of them are going to be embittered and still engaging in anti-U.S. activities and trying to link up potentially with their old organizations.” Unfortunately the President’s rhetoric doesn’t match reality, at the time of that statement, of the 653 who had been released, it was confirmed by the Director of National Intelligence that 196 of these individuals were either confirmed or suspected of returning to terrorist activity – more than just ‘a handful’ I’d say.
Why is the President giving these individuals the opportunity to once again spread the disease of terrorism and hate back in their home countries and once again plan horrifying acts against American citizens? That is why I helped co-author and pass legislation last week to prohibit the transfer of any individual detained at Guantanamo Bay. Don’t let the statements by the Obama Administration fool you into thinking that the closing of that facility does not pose a risk to the safety of our nation. The fact is that the Obama Administration is downplaying just how dangerous those housed at Guantanamo Bay are to fulfill a campaign promise before he leaves office - once again putting politics ahead of the true interest of the American people.
It is the number one job of the federal government to provide for the defense and security of the American people. At a time when our country is under a constant threat of terrorism, we cannot give those who wish to do us harm the chance to attack innocent Americans. We must deny access to those who jeopardize our national security whether they are known terrorists housed at Guantanamo Bay or illegal immigrants who have been mistakenly granted American Citizenship. I remain committed to fighting for the safety of Missourians including physically securing our borders, thoroughly screening and vetting anyone desiring to enter our country with background checks, thwarting the release of any more terrorists back to the battlefield and providing our military men and women with the resources they need to get the job done.. despite the Obama Administration’s attempts to do otherwise.
This Shouldn’t be Political
September 9th, 2016
We have all heard the famous quote “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” This week as the U.S. Congress once again gaveled back into session, the same results held true as we were immediately met with new details of just how partisan and politically minded this Administration is. I should have known not to expect anything other than partisan rancor from this Administration but a recent memo leak showing details of the Obama Administration putting liberal politics before the interests of the American people is truly appalling.
A report of a memo sent by the Obama Administration to officials at the Pentagon was uncovered on Tuesday detailing a plan to veto the national defense bill that includes a pay raise for our troops. This revelation further proves that the Obama Administration could care less about the means he uses no matter how unethical they might be to push his liberal agenda. The internal Department of Defense memo instructs top military leaders to “play hardball” against Republican plans to increase the military budget, unless the Obama White House gets the spending increases they want for unrelated social programs. They suggest that the House and Senate fight against each other instead of finding middle ground to enact a national defense bill for our nation’s heroes, of which we have a huge number throughout southeast and south central Missouri. It is shameful that the Obama Administration spends more time playing political games rather than serving the American public.
This news was especially hard to stomach because while we are trying to find solutions, we keep being met with executive orders and rogue federal agencies specifically trying to impede our attempts. The extent to which this administration has gone out of its way to impede congressional oversight and accountability and implement radical agendas is absolute insanity.
After spending several weeks traveling all 30 counties, talking to farmers about their crops, small business owners about their bottom line, community leaders about their changing needs, and simply just catching up with old friends, facing this type of out-of-control government insanity is difficult because these folks deserve better than what we’re getting from the White House.
The tactics described in the memo that was uncovered this week comes as no surprise because under the Obama Administration, dysfunction and partisanship have continually grown worse. It is no surprise that the American public have lost confidence in this Administration’s ability to do their jobs in the best interest of the American public. Time and time again, the Obama Administration condemns Congress for not reaching across the aisle to get things done, but behind closed doors he continues to encourage a battle between political parties. It is quite clear that the legacy that the Obama Administration will leave behind in January will be that of a politically divided country and bureaucratic insanity.
I believe Congress can come together and continue the more than five decades of bipartisan cooperation it has experienced in the past and pass a national defense bill that gives our troops a pay raise and provides them with the resources they need to defend and provide for the security of our country. The brave men and women who serve our country and keep us safe deserve better and so does the rest of the country, especially from someone who carries the title Commander in Chief.
“Today, we mourn the loss of all the Americans killed in the horrific terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. To the families that are grieving their loved ones, we offer our prayers and our promise never to forget your suffering. To all of the first responders who rushed toward danger that day, and do so every day, we extend our eternal gratitude. To all of the men and women in uniform who have taken the fight to terrorists across the globe, we honor your courage and sacrifice. And to all of the members of the intelligence community, we appreciate the tremendous responsibility you shoulder in your efforts to prevent further attacks.
“America was forever changed on September 11th, but not in the manner the terrorists intended. Where they sought to destroy our national spirit, we responded with renewed strength, unity and resolve. We carry that with us today, refusing to allow the threats we face to undermine our principals or sow fear in our communities. America remains a target because we have proven to the world that freedom and democracy will not yield to evil and oppression. I will continue working to ensure that those who defend our nation and all that we stand for have what they need to keep Americans safe.”
Blunt currently serves as a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Defense Appropriations subcommittee.
