FISCAL NOTE DESERVES TO BE ON BALLOT

A ruling by the Missouri Supreme Court week before last has resulted in the removal from the ballot of a crucial warning to voters about the cost of Proposition A. The high court ruled that it is unconstitutional for the Committee on Legislative Research to prepare cost summaries, or fiscal notes, for issues put on the ballot by the initiative petition process.

This ruling by the high court caused a lower court judge to reverse his earlier judgment that would have allowed a fiscal note on a measure concerning a huge increase in the minimum wage to remain on the ballot. The legislative committee had directed that voters be informed, in ballot language next to the initiative, that measure would cost state government $100 million. This the committee can't do, said the courts.

The rulings were a big blow to opponents of the minimum-wage increase, and gave proponents cause for cheer. The wage proposal is a terrible idea that is opposed by virtually every responsible leader in both parties and at all levels of state government. Opponents, who are in the right, will just have to redouble their efforts to guarantee that voters know how destructive this proposal will be to the Missouri economy.