HANCOCK II IS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER

Constitutional Amendment 7, also known as Hancock II, represents a clear and present danger to Missouri's future. Many people believe that Amendment 7 simply limits future tax increases. This is not accurate. Amendment 7 severely cuts current spending and therefore will result in an immediate and severe cut in state services. These service cuts will total between $1 billion and $5 billion, depending upon how the courts will ultimately interpret the ambiguous language and internal contradictions in the amendment.

Cuts forced by Amendment 7 cannot and will not be across the board since a large portion of state spending is either mandated by federal law or mandated by the federal courts.

Only those services that are not federally mandated can be cut or eliminated. For the most part, these are prisons and criminal justice; primary, secondary and higher education; job training and economic development; highways and bridges; mental health; and public health.

We do not know if Amendment 7 will pass. However, budget experts in state government are preparing for that possibility. They are attempting to determine the programmatic and fiscal effects of Amendment 7, given the constraints posed by federal spending requirements. While there is still uncertainty over specific numbers, it is clear that if Amendment 7 passes, at least $1 billion in service cuts will occur including the following:

* A loss of 6,000 prison spaces including 3,000 existing spaces and 3,000 new spaces approved by the voters in August.

* Elimination of supervision for criminals on probation.

* The loss of 9,000 school teachers and an increase in class size.

* Closure of two international offices promoting exports of Missouri products and elimination of 3 centers for advanced technology.

* Over 5,000 fewer Missourians will receive job training.

* At least one-third of state support for higher education will be eliminated, thereby causing tuitions to skyrocket.

If enough Missouri voters fall victim to the deceptive and misleading message of proponents, unprecedented and sweeping cuts will result, leaving Missouri without the resources needed to fight crime, to educate our children, to create jobs, and to build the roads and bridges we need for our future.

On Nov. 8, Missouri voters have a choice between two futures. One with continued progress on crime fighting and prevention, improved schools, welfare reform, and job creation. And one with the disastrous consequences of Amendment 7. The choice is clear. Vote "No" on Nov. 8 to protect Missouri's future.

Mel Carnahan, a Democrat, is governor of Missouri.