AMENDMENT 4 OFFERS PROTECTION TAXPAYERS WANT (PRO/AMENDMENT 4)

Last year the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation and I proposed a tax-limitation amendment that will give Missouri voters the right to vote on all major tax increases. On April 2 the people of Missouri will finally have an opportunity to vote on our proposed amendment, Amendment 4.

Specifically, Amendment 4 requires that any proposed tax or fee -- or any combination of tax or fee increase -- greater than 1 percent of total state revenue must be submitted to a vote of the people. Under our proposal, every tax increase or combination of tax increases totaling over $50 million would have to be approved by Missouri voters.

Amendment 4 will give Missouri's voters greater control over the state's financial decisions. It is supported by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business and Associated Industries of Missouri, as well as many other responsible organizations and citizens.

Missouri is one of the most fiscally conservative and responsible states in the nation. We have a balanced budget every year. We have very low debt. And we are one of only five states that regularly receives the highest possible bond rating from all three major fiscal rating agencies. In fact, Financial World magazine, one of the most respected business publications in the nation, has rated Missouri the third best managed state in the nation.

Nevertheless, it is clear that the issue of tax limitation remains on the minds of the voters. Missourians feel they should have the right to vote on major tax increases. Certainly that message could be heard loud and clear in the debate over Hancock II. I strongly opposed Hancock II, and, in the course of the campaign, I spoke with and heard from thousands of Missourians on both sides of the issue. I listened carefully to what they had to say. The voters of Missouri overwhelmingly defeated Hancock II because it would have mandated deep cuts in many crucial areas including education and law enforcement. But Missourians supported strongly the idea that taxpayers should have some direct influence over major tax decisions. After all, the money is coming out of your pockets.

I have great confidence that Amendment 4 will serve Missouri well. Amendment 4 is a reasonable and responsible tax-limitation proposal, one that gives the people of Missouri the additional control they want over tax increases. It is simple and clearly written. Unlike Hancock II, Amendment 4 only deals with future tax increases. Therefore, it will not decimate basic government services and leave Missouri without the resources it needs to educate our children and protect our citizens.

You may have recently read that the same group that put Hancock II on the ballot is getting ready to launch another similar effort. Let's do what's right for Missouri and adopt a reasonable tax-limitation plan. I am committed to passage of a clear and responsible plan. If you agree, please vote for Amendment 4.

Mel Carnahan is the governor of Missouri.