General election

With the votes from Tuesday's primary elections counted, the races for the general election begin in earnest. Some candidates who were unopposed in the primary now have opponents for the general election. And some candidates who had primary opposition now face likely victory in the general election.

Of course, much of the focus between now and Nov. 4 will be on the top national and state races, president and governor in particular. How those races shape up will determine, in large part, whether there is a heavy or light turnout at the polls.

But in addition to all the candidates on the November ballot, Missourians also will cast votes on three other important measures, including a constitutional amendment.

Constitutional Amendment 1

The title of Constitutional Amendment 1 reads: "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to add a statement that English shall be the language of all governmental meetings at which any public business is discussed, decided, or public policy is formulated whether conducted in person or by communication equipment including conference calls, video conferences, or Internet chat or message board?"

Two initiative petitions also have been certified for the November ballot. One is the home-care initiative, and the other is the casinos and gambling initiative. They are the only two to survive the signature-gathering process out of 25 petitions that were approved for circulation. Three petitions failed to obtain a sufficient number of signatures: an amendment to Missouri statutes relating to renewable energy and two constitutional amendments relating to eminent domain.

Home care initiative

The home care initiative ballot reads: "Shall Missouri law be amended to enable the elderly and Missourians with disabilities to continue living independently in their home by creating the Missouri Quality Homecare Council to ensure the availability of quality home care services under the Medicaid program by recruiting, training and stabilizing the homecare workforce?

"The exact cost of this proposal to state governmental entities is unknown, but is estimated to exceed $510,000 annually. Additional costs for training are possible. Matching federal funds, if available, could reduce state costs. It is estimated there would be no costs or savings to local governmental entities."

Casinos and gambling initiative

The casinos and gambling initiative ballot reads: "Shall Missouri law be amended to:

* repeal the current individual maximum loss limit for gambling;

* prohibit any future loss limits;

* require identification to enter the gambling area only if necessary to establish that an individual is at least 21 years old;

* restrict the number of casinos to those already built or being built;

* increase the casino gambling tax from 20 percent to 21 percent;

* create a new specific education fund from gambling tax proceeds generated as a result of this measure called the 'Schools First Elementary and Secondary Education Improvement Fund'; and

* require annual audits of this new fund?

"State governmental entities will receive an estimated $105.1 to $130.0 million annually for elementary and secondary education, and $5.0 to $7.0 million annually for higher education, early childhood development, veterans, and other programs. Local governmental entities receiving gambling boat tax and fee revenues will receive an estimated $18.1 to $19.0 million annually."

In the next three months, voters will undoubtedly be hearing much more about each of these issues. And candidates and their campaign organizations will increase their efforts to get voters' attention. Now is the time to get informed about the candidates you want to elect and the issues you want to see approved or defeated.