Ballot issues

The mid-term elections are only three weeks away. This year Missouri voters will be voting on several ballot issues -- both state and local. Here is a brief look at the issues Missourians will be facing.

n Constitutional Amendment No. 1 would require all county assessors to be elected.

* Constitutional Amendment No. 2 would exempt disabled former prisoners of war from property taxes on property used as a homestead.

* Constitutional Amendment No. 3 would amend the Missouri Constitution to prevent the state, counties and other political subdivisions from imposing any new real estate transfer tax.

* Proposition A would prevent cities other than St. Louis and Kansas City from imposing an earnings tax. The voters of St. Louis and Kansas City would then have a separate vote to determine if they wish to keep their city earnings tax.

* Proposition B would prevent large-scale dog breeding operations from neglecting dogs, and it would control the number of dogs available for breeding at each location. Violations would result in a misdemeanor crime of "puppy mill cruelty."

* Proposition C would prevent the government from penalizing citizens that choose not to purchase private health insurance or prevent patients and providers from offering or accepting direct payment for health care services. This proposition would also modify the laws on the liquidation of certain domestic insurance companies.

* City of Cape Girardeau voters will be asked whether or not they support the licensing of gambling operations in Cape Girardeau.

* City of Jackson voters will be asked if the city should impose a sales tax of one-quarter of one percent for the purpose of providing revenue for the operation of the fire department.

To read more about the ballot initiatives, check out today's Perspective's page on 7A. You can also read about these issues online at semissourian.com/election. The Southeast Missourian will be running a series of articles covering these ballot initiatives over the next few weeks. We also encourage the community to continue sending letters to the editor regarding these issues.