MISSOURI BALLOT MEASURES FOR NOVEMBER 2 GENERAL ELECTION

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Written by Green Building Design and Construction

Posted at 06:10 PM on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 by District 12 Missouri in Dept Postings
Article Supplied by the VFW from this web page:http://vfwwebcom.org/mo/dist12/85046/

MISSOURI BALLOT MEASURES FOR NOVEMBER 2 GENERAL ELECTION

AMENDMENT #1:
Official Ballot Title: Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to require the office of county assessor to be an elected position in all counties with a charter form of government, except counties with a population between 600,001-699,999?
A “yes” vote amends the Missouri Constitution to require that assessors in charter counties be elected officials. This proposal will affect St. Louis County and any Missouri county that adopts a charter form of government. The exception is for Jackson County.
A “no” vote will not change the Missouri Constitution and will keep the St. Louis county assessor position an appointed one.
Fiscal Impact: This amendment is estimated to have no impact on taxes or general revenue or any costs or savings to local government entities.
This amendment was placed on the ballot after passage of Senator Eric Schmitt’s SJR 5 in 2009.

AMENDMENT #2:
Official Ballot Title: Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to require that all real property used as a homestead by Missouri citizens who are former prisoners of war and have a total service-connected disability be exempt from property taxes?
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to exempt any Missouri citizen who is a former prisoner of war with a total service-connected disability from having to pay property taxes on all real property used as a homestead.
A “no” vote will not change the Missouri Constitution to add this exemption for former prisoners of war.
Fiscal Impact: Because the number of citizens estimated to meet this definition is very few, this amendment is estimated to have a minimal impact on local governments and is estimated to decrease the state blind pension fund by $1,200.
This amendment was placed on the ballot due to passage of Representative Maria Chappelle-Nadal’s HJR 15 in 2009.

AMENDMENT #3:
Official Ballot Title: Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to prevent the state, counties, and other political subdivisions from imposing any new tax, including a sales tax, on the sale or transfer of homes or any other real estate?
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to prevent the state, any county, or other political subdivision from placing a tax on the sale or transfer of homes or any other real estate. This includes any transfer tax or sales tax.
A “no” vote will not change the Missouri Constitution to prevent the imposition of such a tax.
Fiscal Impact: This measure is estimated to have no impact to the costs or savings of local governments or state entities.
This amendment was placed on the ballot by Missouri’s initiative petition process.

PROPOSITION A:
Official Ballot Title: Shall Missouri law be amended to: repeal the authority of certain cities to use earnings taxes to fund their budgets; require voters in cities that currently have an earnings tax to approve continuation of such tax at the next general municipal election and at an election held every 5 years thereafter; require any current earnings tax that is not approved by the voters to be phased out over a period of 10 years; and prohibit any city from adding a new earnings tax to fund their budget?
A “yes” vote amends Missouri law to repeal the authority of certain cities to use earnings taxes to fund their budgets. The amendment also requires voters in the cities that currently use earnings taxes as a revenue generator (St. Louis and Kansas City) to approve continuation of the earnings tax at the next general municipal election and at an election held every five years, or if voted down, phase out the tax over a period of ten years.
A “no” vote will not change Missouri law regarding the use of earnings taxes by Missouri cities.
Fiscal impact: For 2010, Kansas City budgeted earnings tax revenue of $199.2 million and St. Louis budgeted earnings tax revenue of $141.2 million. Reduced earnings tax deductions could increase state revenue by approximately $4.8 million. The total cost or savings to state and local governmental entities is unknown.
This proposition was placed on the ballot by Missouri’s initiative petition process.

PROPOSITION B:
Official Ballot Title: Shall Missouri law be amended to: require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each dog under their care with sufficient food, clean water, housing and space, necessary veterinary care, regular exercise and adequate rest between breeding cycles; prohibit any breeder from having more than 50 breeding dogs for the purpose of selling their puppies as pets; and create a misdemeanor crime of “puppy mill cruelty” for any violations?
A “yes” vote will amend Missouri law to require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each dog under their care with sufficient food, clean water, housing and space; necessary veterinary care; regular exercise and adequate rest between breeding cycles. The amendment also prohibits any breeder from using more than 50 breeding dogs for the purpose of selling their puppies as pets and creates the misdemeanor crime of “puppy mill cruelty” for any violations.
A “no” vote will not change the Missouri law relating to dog breeders.
Fiscal impact: It is estimated that state entities will incur costs of approximately $650,000 for enforcement. Some local government entities may experience costs related to enforcement of the law as well as possible savings from reduced animal care activities.
This proposition was placed on the ballot by Missouri’s initiative petition process.

Information compiled from http://www.sos.mo.gov & http://www.house.mo.gov