JUST SAY NOT TO PROPOSITION A

A key issue before Missouri voters will be a proposal seeking to pretty much ban billboards across our state. This one is sure to be hotly contested, with both sides expecting to spend millions.

Proposition A would ban construction of most new billboards and further restrict existing billboards along federal highways in Missouri. It would prohibit the replacement and relocation of most existing billboards. It would also increase the authority of any city, county or local zoning authority to regulate outdoor advertising. Further, it would prohibit the removal of trees and vegetation on public rights of way, except for aesthetic, environmental or safety reasons.

A key matter for voters to consider is that any removal will cost taxpayers a lot. That is to say, under our Constitution, the state can't take private property without awarding "just compensation" to the owners thereof. The billboard owners will have to be paid by taxpayers' money.

How much this will cost is the subject of dispute between the two sides. Opponents of Prop A say it will require removal as many as 3,500 billboards at a cost of $500 million to $600 million in payments to billboard owners and landowners who are parties to leases with the owners of the boards. This is among the reasons why opponents are urging voters to "read the fine print." Proponents say this isn't true. They say that Prop A wouldn't force the removal of existing boards but would prevent the erection of new ones on federal highways such as I-55 and U.S. 61.

Overall, we believe this is a good debate for voters to hear. Do we want to pay millions of dollars for removal of boards on this scale? Do we want to increased government power at the state and local levels to regulate private business?

Our answer is no to Proposition A.