NOVEMBER 2016 BALLOT MEASURES

NOVEMBER 2016 - BALLOT MEASURES

Italicized text – from Missouri Secretary of State Website

http://www.sos.mo.gov/petitions/2016BallotMeasures

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1 – MISSOURI PARKS, SOIL AND WATER SALES TAX

[Proposed by Article IV, Section 47©, Missouri Constitution (SJR 1, 2005)]

Official Ballot Language: 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.

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What is this Amendment about?

• Tax first approved by voters in 1984, and renewed in 1988, 1996, and 2006.

• Renewal re-submitted to voters every 10 years under the state constitution.

• Generates approximately $90 million each year for soil and water conservation, and for the operation of the state park system.

Supporters say:

• More than 61,000 conservation practices have been implemented through $348 million in cost-share grant projects since the tax was last renewed in 2006.

• Funding to prevent millions of tons of soil from eroding into Missouri’s rivers and lakes.

• Funding for maintenance and improvement of Missouri’s 88 parks and historic sites.

Supporters: Missouri Farm Bureau and agriculture, land conservation and environmental groups.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2 – CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS

[Proposed by Initiative Petition]

Official Ballot Language: 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 that 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.

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What is this Amendment about?

• Voters approved contribution limits in 1994.

• The limits were repealed by the General Assembly in 2008.

• Would re-establish campaign contribution limits.

• Would limit contributions to individual candidates to $2,600 per election.

• Would limit contributions to $2,600 per election both TO and FROM a political action committee.

• Would prohibit a candidate committee from accepting contributions from or making contributions to another candidate committee.

• Would limit contributions to political parties to $25,000 each election.

• Designed to prevent individuals and entities from intentionally concealing the source of the contributions.

• Would create a complaint process and penalties for violating its requirements.

Supporters say: It is important to restore limits so that large donors do not have too much influence in the political realm.

Opponents say: The current system ensures transparency in the system and a return to limits will only cause large donors to hide their contributions by funneling them through various political committees.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 3 – CIGARETTE TAX INCREASE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION [Proposed by Initiative Petition]

Official Ballot Language: 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 Education 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.

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What is this Amendment about?

• Would increase taxes on cigarettes until 2020 when the total increase would reach 60 cents per pack of 20.

• Would create a 67-cent per pack fee for wholesalers to pay on certain cigarettes.

• Would generate $263 - $374 million each year.

• Would create an Early Childhood Health and Education Trust Fund with revenues utilized for early childhood education.

Supporters say:

• Missouri lags behind other states in providing state-funded preschool programs.

• Missouri currently has the lowest tax on cigarette sales in the country. Missouri currently taxes cigarettes at the rate of 17 cents per pack tax while the national average is at $1.65 per pack.

• The wholesaler fee increase is meant to close a loophole that has allowed small companies to avoid making payments to 46 states mandated by a multi-state court settlement to help offset Medicaid costs.

Opponents say:

• The proposal may be a “tax scheme” that will divert money away from public K-12 schools and allow for public funds to be used by private schools.

• Language in the proposal would restrict the funding from being used for the enforcement of tobacco laws and smoking cessation programs.

• Funds raised by the measure would be allocated by an unelected commission rather than by the normal appropriations process.

• Convenience stores and discount-cigarette manufacturers point out that it would levy a greater tax on little tobacco companies.

• American Heart Association & American Cancer Society claim the increase is not enough.

• The campaign is supported by tobacco companies with financial support from big tobacco companies, including R.J. Reynolds.

• Small companies are opposed due to the 67 cents per pack fee increase that is directed at them.

Supporters: RYH4K – Raise Your Hands for Kids, RJ Reynolds, Big Tobacco Companies.

Opponents: American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Tobacco Free Kids, Small Tobacco Companies, Convenience Stores.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 4 – PROHIBITION ON NEW SALES AND USE TAXES

[Proposed by Initiative Petition]

Official Ballot Language: 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 January 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 prohibits 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 January 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.

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What is this Amendment about?

• Would prohibit state or local sales or use taxes on services.

Supporters say:

• Would ensure that governmental entities do not create new taxes on services such as a haircut or a repair service for a vehicle.

• North Carolina and Washington have enacted taxes on services. North Carolina’s new tax extends to services like auto repair, sign painting, and some heating and plumbing work. States have enacted the new taxes in an effort to make up for lagging revenues from lower sales tax collections. Amendment 4 is designed to ensure similar taxes cannot be put into place in Missouri.

Supporters: The Missouri Bankers Association, the Missouri Press Association, and the Missouri Association of Realtors. Opponents: The Missouri Municipal League.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 6 – VOTER IDENTIFICATION

[Proposed by 98^th General Assembly, SS HJR 53]

Official Ballot Language: 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 identify, citizenship, and residence by presenting identification that may include valid government-issues 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.

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What is this Amendment about?

• Would require voters to present a specified form of identification in order to vote in a public election.

• Valid forms of identification would include photo IDs issued by the state, the federal government or the military.

• Would require the state to pay for individuals to obtain a valid ID if they do not have one, or to obtain documents necessary for an ID.

• Would allow a voter without a valid photo ID to vote with a regular ballot by showing another form of identification.

Supporters say:

• The voter identification system is important to protect the integrity of the elections system.

• Requiring a photo ID will prevent voter fraud at the polling place by requiring each voter to prove that they are who they say they are.

Opponents say:

• A voter identification system will disenfranchise voters who do not have a photo ID, or the means to easily obtain one.

• There are no proven cases of voter fraud to warrant the creation of a voter ID system.

Opponents: AARP, the ACLU, League of Women Voters and unions.

PROPOSITION A – CIGARETTE TAX INCREASE FOR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

[Proposed by Initiative Petition]

Official Ballot Language:

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 - $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 cigarette 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 cigarette and other tobacco products.

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What is this Amendment about?

• Would increase the tax on each pack of cigarettes by 13 cents in 2017, by 5 cents in 2019, and by another 5 cents in 2021. The total increase would amount to 23 cents for a total tax in Missouri of 40 cents per pack of 20.

• Would also increase the tax that sellers pay on other tobacco products by 5 percent of the manufacturer’s invoice price.

• Would generate approximately $95 - $103 million each year for a Transportation Infrastructure Fund to be used for road repairs throughout the state.

Opponents say:

• American Heart Association & American Cancer Society claim the increase is not enough.

• The campaign is supported by tobacco companies with support from small cigarette companies.

Supporters: Small Tobacco Companies.

Opponents: American Heart Association, American Cancer Society.

If both tobacco tax measures were to be approved by voters, Missouri law says the proposal with the greater number of affirmative votes would take effect, but the final outcome would likely be decided in court.