Election Day is right around the corner. In addition to deciding who you want to be our next president and governor of Missouri, you will have the opportunity to vote for a number of congressional, statewide and local offices. You will also be asked to weigh in on six ballot measures. Nearly 2.8 million Missourians voted in the last presidential election. On Tuesday, Nov. 8, I want to encourage all eligible voters in Missouri to head to their local polling stations and cast their ballots. This is an incredibly important election and every vote counts.
Ballot Issues
The following measures have been certified by the secretary of state’s office to appear on the Nov. 8, 2016, general election ballot. Each description contains the official ballot title, fiscal note, fair ballot language and impact on taxes. For more information about the upcoming election, including where and how to vote and what you will need to bring, visit the secretary of state’s website at www.sos.mo.gov.
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 continues and does not increase the existing sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for 10 years. The measure would continue to generate approximately $90 million annually for soil and water conservation and operation of the state park system.
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.
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
- establish limits on campaign contributions by individuals or entities to political parties, political committees, or committees to elect candidates for state or judicial office;
- prohibit individuals and entities from intentionally concealing the source of such contributions;
- require corporations or labor organizations to meet certain requirements in order to make such contributions; and
- provide a complaint process and penalties for any violations of this amendment?
It is estimated this proposal will increase state government costs by at least $118,000 annually and have an unknown change in costs for local governmental entities. Any potential impact to revenues for state and local governmental entities is unknown.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to establish limits on campaign contributions by individuals or entities to political parties, political committees, or committees to elect candidates for state or judicial office. This amendment prohibits individuals and entities from intentionally concealing the source of such contributions. This amendment also requires corporations or labor organizations to meet certain requirements in order to make such contributions. This amendment further provides a complaint process and penalties for any violations of this amendment. A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to establish limits on campaign contributions. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
- increase taxes on cigarettes each year through 2020, at which point this additional tax will total 60 cents per pack of 20;
- create a fee paid by cigarette wholesalers of 67 cents per pack of 20 on certain cigarettes, which fee shall increase annually; and
- deposit funds generated by these taxes and fees into a newly established Early Childhood Health and Education Trust Fund?
When cigarette tax increases are fully implemented, estimated additional revenue to state government is $263 million to $374 million annually, with limited estimated implementation costs. The revenue will fund only programs and services allowed by the proposal. The fiscal impact to local governmental entities is unknown.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to increase taxes on cigarettes each year through 2020, at which point this additional tax will total 60 cents per pack of 20. This amendment also creates a fee paid by cigarette wholesalers of 67 cents per pack of 20 on certain cigarettes. This amendment further provides that the funds generated by these taxes and fees shall be deposited into a newly established Early Childhood Health and Education Trust Fund. A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution relating to taxes and fees on cigarettes. If passed, this measure will increase taxes on cigarettes.
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to prohibit a new state or local sales/use or other similar tax on any service or transaction that was not subject to a sales/use or similar tax as of Jan. 1, 2015?
Potential costs to state and local governmental entities are unknown, but could be significant. The proposal’s passage would impact governmental entity’s ability to revise their tax structures. State and local governments expect no savings from this proposal.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to prohibit a new state or local sales/use or other similar tax on any service or transaction. This amendment only applies to any service or transaction that was not subject to a sales/use or similar tax as of Jan. 1, 2015. A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to prohibit such state or local sales/use or other similar tax. If passed, this measure will not increase or decrease taxes.
Shall the Constitution of Missouri be amended to state that voters may be required by law, which may be subject to exception, to verify one’s identity, citizenship, and residence by presenting identification that may include valid government-issued photo identification?
The proposed amendment will result in no costs or savings because any potential costs would be due to the enactment of a general law allowed by this proposal. If such a general law is enacted, the potential costs to state and local governments is unknown, but could exceed $2.1 million annually.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to state that voters may be required by law to verify their identity, citizenship, and residence by presenting identification that may include valid government-issued photo identification. Exceptions to this identification requirement may also be provided by law. A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding elections. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
Shall Missouri law be amended to:
- increase taxes on cigarettes in 2017, 2019, and 2021, at which point this additional tax will total 23 cents per pack of 20;
- increase the tax paid by sellers on other tobacco products by 5 percent of manufacturer’s invoice price;
- use funds generated by these taxes exclusively to fund transportation infrastructure projects; and
- repeal these taxes if a measure to increase any tax or fee on cigarettes or other tobacco products is certified to appear on any local or statewide ballot?
State government revenue will increase by approximately $95 million to $103 million annually when cigarette and tobacco tax increases are fully implemented, with the new revenue earmarked for transportation infrastructure. Local government revenues could decrease approximately $3 million annually due to decreased cigarette and tobacco sales.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend Missouri law to increase taxes on cigarettes in 2017, 2019, and 2021, at which point this additional tax will total 23 cents per pack of 20. This amendment also increases the tax paid by sellers on other tobacco products by 5 percent of manufacturer’s invoice price. This amendment further provides that the funds generated by these taxes shall be used exclusively to fund transportation infrastructure projects. These taxes are repealed if a measure to increase any tax or fee on cigarettes or other tobacco products is certified to appear on any local or statewide ballot. A “no” vote will not amend Missouri law relating to taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products. If passed, this measure will increase taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Jackson County Ballot Issues
The three ballot measures listed below specifically pertain to Jackson County. To view a general election sample ballot for Jackson County, click here or visit the Jackson County Election Board website at www.jcebmo.org.
QUESTION 1
Shall Jackson County continue its anti-crime sales tax, commonly known as COMBAT, at the rate of one-quarter of one cent for a period of nine years for the purpose of promoting and providing public safety within Jackson County, including the prevention and treatment of drug abuse and addiction and the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and detention of violent criminals and drug dealers?
The proceeds of this tax shall be deposited in a special Jackson County Anti-Crime Sales Tax Trust Fund, separate from the general fund or any other county funds.
QUESTION 2
Shall Jackson County, solely for the purpose of establishing a Community Children’s Services Fund for the purpose of providing services to protect the well-being and safety of children and youth nineteen years of age or less and to strengthen families, be authorized to levy a countywide sales tax of one-eighth of one cent for a period of seven years?
This fund will be transparently administered in a manner independent of County government, by a diverse, geographically representative, nine-member citizen board appointed by the County Executive, with at least one member residing in each Jackson County legislative district. Revenues will be solely used to benefit the residents of Jackson County.
QUESTION 3
Shall Jackson County discontinue applying and collecting the local sales tax on the titling of motor vehicles, trailers, boats, and outboard motors that were purchased from a source other than a licensed Missouri dealer?
Approval of this measure will result in a reduction of local revenue to provide vital services for Jackson County and will place Missouri dealers of motor vehicles, outboard motors, boats, and trailers at a competitive disadvantage with non-Missouri dealers of motor vehicles, outboard motors, boats, and trailers.