Missouri Ballot Issues - Nov. 7, 2000

There are three Missouri Constitution amendments and two statewide Propositions on the ballot in for the general election to be held on Tuesday, November 7th, 2000. Since I am running for State Treasurer I receive sample ballots from every county in Missouri. I thought it would be in the public interest to present the exact text of these ballot issues, and how I will vote on them.

Of course, you may disagree. But if you are reading this you will at least have the opportunity to make up your own mind before the election.

This page was last updated Fri-29-Sep-2000.

Constitutional Amendment No. 1

Proposed by the 90th General Assembly (First Regular Session) SJR 24

Shall a budget reserve fund be created in the state treasury to provide an operating reserve for use by the governor with 2/3 approval by the legislature when there is a budget emergency due to disaster or revenues falling below revenue estimates?

The estimated fiscal impact of this proposed measure on state and local governments is $0.

I will vote NO on Constitutional Amendment No. 1. Missouri has been forced by the Hancock amendment to mail additional refunds to Missouri taxpayers for the last three years. They have enough of our money now.

Constitutional Amendment No. 2

Proposed by the 90th General Assembly (Second Regular Session) SJR 50

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to reduce the time from two years to six months that individuals are required to have been bona fide members of a licensed religious, charitable, fraternal, service, or veteran organization in order to participate in the management, conduct or operation of a licensed bingo game?

The estimated fiscal impact of this proposed measure for state and local governments is unknown.

I will vote YES for Constitutional Amendment No. 2. Bingo is not a problem when the state is running its own numbers racket.

Constitutional Amendment No. 3

Proposed by the 90th General Assembly (Second Regular Session) CCS HCS SS SS No. 3 SJR 35

Shall the Constitution be amended to provide that salaries recommended by the Citizens' Commission on Compensation for statewide elected officials, judges and legislators require an appropriation by the legislature in separate amounts not to exceed those proposed by the Commission and to remove the Commission's authority to recommend mileage and expenses?

The fiscal impact of this proposal is unknown, as it will depend on the amount of compensation proposed by the Citizens' Commission and the actions of the Governor and General Assembly on future budgets.

I will vote NO for Constitutional Amendment No. 3. I don't understand it, but it sounds like an attempt to make it easier to sneak pay raises past the voters.

Proposition A

Proposed by Initiative Petition

Shall Missouri Statutes be amended to prohibit the construction of most new outdoor advertising and to further restrict existing outdoor advertising along all National Highway System highways in Missouri; to increase the authority of any city, county or local zoning authority to regulate outdoor advertising; and to prohibit the removal of trees and vegetation located on public rights of way except for purposes of improving aesthetic or environmental value or of eliminating safety hazards?

The estimated fiscal impact of this proposed measure is unknown.

I will vote NO on Proposition A. Sure, the fiscal impact is "unknown", but it's a further erosion of private property rights, and it will restrict the free market for private advertising in Missouri.

Proposition B

Proposed by Initiative Petition

Shall Missouri Statutes be enacted establishing a campaign finance system where candidates for election to the Missouri legislature and statewide office who comply with various requirements regarding campaign contributions and finances, including limitations on campaign spending, contributions and use of personal funds, may apply and obtain certification from the Missouri Ethics Commission to receive public campaign financing, where the funds allocated to participating candidates are provided by increasing by one-hundredth of one percent the annual franchise tax levied on corporations whose outstanding shares and surplus exceed two million dollars, with such campaign finance system to include penalties for violations?

The costs of this proposal will be funded through an increase in the corporate franchise tax rate for corporations whose outstanding shares and surplus exceed $2,000,000. This tax increase will generate approximately $13,000,000 per year.

I will vote NO on Proposition B. This one really makes me angry. It's a $13,000,000 shakedown of Missouri businesses to fund political campaigns. And the provisions that limit how much money a candidate may spend out of his own pocket are probably a violation of First Amendment Free Speech rights in the United States Constitution. Why should my tax dollars fund the TV ads of candidates I will vote against? It's tyranny.

The Missouri Reform Party has endorsed this proposal. Here's what Libertarian Attorney General candidate Mitch Moore has to say about Proposition B.

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