PROPOSITION A (MINIMUM-WAGE INCREASE) MUST BE DEFEATED BY VOTERS

On Tuesday's ballot, Missouri voters will confront six proposed constitutional amendments and an initiative that would increase our state's minimum wage to a highest-in-the-nation $6.75 an hour and continue increasing it annually from there.

Proposition A: No. Taking the last one first, this page has often recommended defeat of Proposition A on the minimum wage. It is a disastrous proposal to make Missouri's labor market uncompetitive, a serious threat to small business and a certain job killer. Missourians must defeat Proposition A this Tuesday, Nov. 5.

We offer the following recommendations on the proposed amendments:

Amendment No. 3: Yes. Effects an annual transfer of a percentage of funds in the general revenue fund to the "Facilities Maintenance Reserve Fund" for the purpose of maintenance, repair and renovation of state facilities. This proposal would transfer approximately $5.4 million from General Revenue to the Facilities Maintenance Reserve Fund.

Amendment No. 5: No. Create a Department of Aging. We already have a Division of Aging within the Department of Social Services. No valid reason has been advanced by proponents to create yet another department stuffed with what will inevitably grow into more bureaucracy in Jefferson City. Adopting this amendment will ultimately actually curtail services to seniors where the rubber hits the road, at the local level, while empires expand in our state capital.

Amendment No. 6: Yes. Allows cities and towns, upon voter approval, to issue bonds to build revenue-producing sewer treatment plants. Currently, bonds may be issued for revenue-producing water, gas or electric light works, heating and power plants and airports. This amendment would also remove water works owned by two or more local governments from those required to be regulated by the Public Service Commission. There is no fiscal impact to the state, and any local impact would depend upon voter approval. Opposition has been non-existent.

Amendment No. 7: Yes. Establishes in the state treasury a "Budget Stabilization Fund", also known as the Rainy Day Fund, to provide an operating reserve in years when revenue projections are below expectations. No state or local taxes would be affected, and state funds could be redistributed to the account.

Amendment No. 8: Yes. This is a continuation of a one-tenth-cent sales tax for soil and water conservation and state parks. It was proposed by an initiative petition campaign led by the Missouri Farm Bureau. This worthy proposal has twice before been overwhelmingly approved by Missouri voters. This amendment would extend the one-tenth-cent tax for another 10 years. No tax increase is involved. Since voters first approved it in the early 1980s, Missouri has made dramatic improvement in reversing serious soil erosion trends.

Amendment No. 9: No. Term limits. In 1992, Missouri voters adopted a constitutional amendment by initiative petition limiting the terms of all members of the General Assembly: two four-year terms in the Senate and four two-year terms in the House. It also limited our U.S. senators to two six-year terms and our U.S. representatives to four two-year terms in the House, to take effect when 25 states have adopted congressional term limits. We supported term limits on this page and continue to do so. We nonetheless oppose this variation because it asks candidates to pledge to support term limits, and for those who decline, the following notations would be placed next to their names on the ballot:

"Disregarded voters' instructions on term limits" (incumbents)

"Declined to pledge to support term limits" (non-incumbents).

This strikes us as too cute by half and an infringement on the franchise.

OUR VIEW

The Southeast Missourian's recommendations for the proposition and six constitutional amendments on Tuesday's ballot:

Proposition A: No

Amendment No. 3: Yes

Amendment No. 5: No

Amendment No. 6: Yes

Amendment No. 7: Yes

Amendment No. 8: Yes

Amendment No. 9: No