A rundown on Missouri ballot measures

Editor's note: This editorial has been edited to correct the stance of realtors on Amendment 4. Realtors support Amendment 4, but oppose taxes on services. The Southeast Missourian regrets the error.

As we approach the Nov. 8 election, much of the attention has been focused on the presidential race. But there are many more races and issues on the ballots. In Missouri, voters will have a say on several important measures. Here is a rundown of the statewide questions voters will see when they vote next month (some content taken verbatim or nearly verbatim from the Secretary of State website; other descriptions about support and opposition come from previous reporting and various organizations):

Constitutional Amendment 1

Voters will be asked whether to continue a 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 the tax to voters for approval in 10 years. The measure will not increase existing sales and use tax. The measure will continue to generate roughly $9 million annually. This tax is automatically up for a vote every 10 years. Supporters include the Missouri Farm Bureau and a long list of agriculture, land conservation and environmental groups.

Constitutional Amendment 2

This questions asks whether the constitution should be amended to establish limits on campaign contributions by individuals or entities to political parties or committees; it would prohibit individuals and entities from intentionally concealing the source of contributions; it would require corporations or labor organizations to meet certain requirements in order to make such contributions; and provide a complaint process and penalties for violations of the amendment.

Constitutional Amendment 3

One of two cigarette tax measures on the ballot, this one asks voters to approve an tax increase on cigarettes each year through 2020, at which point this additional tax would total 60 cents per pack; the amendment would also create a fee paid by cigarette wholesalers, which would increase annually; and deposit funds generated by this tax and fees into an early childhood health and education trust fund. This tax increase, when fully implemented, would add $263 million to $374 million annually to early childhood health and education. Many support this issue on the pre-K funding alone, arguing that investing in education of children earlier will have profound benefits later in their lives, particularly for disadvantaged children and families. Both cigarette issues (see Proposition A below) are being supported or opposed by different factions of the tobacco industry. The initiatives are reported as being ways to control competitive interests. Convenience stores and discount-cigarette manufacturers call the amendment "outrageous and unfair" because it would levy a much greater tax on little tobacco companies. Other opponents question how the funding will be dispersed, including going to private or religious schools, as well as lacking legislative oversight and placing decisions in the hands of an unelected commission.

Constitutional Amendment 4

Amendment 4 seeks to prohibit new state or local sales and use taxes for services. Currently the state does not apply sales taxes to services such as real estate services, hair cuts and countless other services. Locally and statewide, realtors have been vocal about their support to Amendment 4 and opposition to service taxes. It is opposed by the Missouri Municipal League in part because it limits local governments' flexibility for funding in the future, when the sales, technology and financial landscape could be much different from what it is now.

Constitutional Amendment 6

Amendment 6 asks whether Missouri should amend the constitution so that voters may be required by law to verify their identity, citizenship and residence by presenting identification that may include a government-issued photo identification. Supporters say such Voter ID laws would prevent voter fraud. Opponents say it could "disenfranchise" hundreds of thousands of voters, arguing the process of attaining ID is more difficult than supporters let on. It is supported largely by conservatives, but opposed by the AARP, the ACLU, the League of Women Voters and unions.

Proposition A

The second of two measures that would increase cigarette taxes, this one asks to increase taxes 23 cents per pack, increase the tax paid by sellers on other tobacco products by 5 percent of manufacturer's invoice price; use funds generated by these taxes 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.

Proponents argue this is a good way to provide funding for much-needed transportation projects across the state. Both tobacco tax increases are charged by dollars for different factions of the tobacco industry. This one is supported by smaller manufacturers. Both cigarette tax issues are opposed by several anti-smoking organizations because it is not believed that either tax increase is enough to curb smoking. Some question the constitutionality of the provision in Prop A that relates to the repealing of taxes if another measure comes forward later. And it is unclear what will happen if both measures pass.