Missouri

 

Although in the middle range of number of ballot measures, Missouri has become increasingly significant in the I&R world, due to the controversial subjects addressed and their political significance.

Although only five measures are on the ballot this year, several controversial social issues were vying for qualification earlier in the year, but failed to make it on the ballot. These included an abortion ban, an attempt to repeal the 2006 voter-approved stem cell research measure and a rollback of equal opportunity programs through an affirmative action ban.

Instead, in November Missouri voters will decide on whether to repeal the state's limit on gambling losses while increasing taxes on casinos. The measure is pushed by the Ameristar and Pinnacle casinos, which have formed the "Yes for Schools First Coalition," given that some of the tax revenue would go to public schools.

Also on the ballot is a health care measure that would allow long term health care workers to organize by forming the Missouri Quality Homecare Council. The council would recruit, train and stabilize a workforce for home health care workers.

The most notable measure is the clean energy initiative that would create a renewable portfolio standard for the use of clean energy sources.

Historically, Missouri has been home to several noteworthy initiatives - around themes of gambling, guns, election reform and judges. According to the Initiative and Referenda Institute, Missouri was one of the first states, in the 1940s, to create a nonpartisan system for the nomination, appointment, and retention elections of judges. Anti-judge activity is a lingering part of Missouri politics, with measures nearly qualifying in the last two elections. Another measure that continues to have an impact on Missouri's budget and tax system was the passage in 1980 of the "Hancock Amendment," which limited state and local taxes. In 1998, a concealed weapons bill was referred to the ballot. Anti-gun control supporters spent $4.2 million on their campaign compared to $850,000 by the opposition. The measure was defeated by a 52% to 48% margin, giving gun control advocates a big victory.

Five measures were on the statewide ballot (five passed).
Three were citizen-petitioned initiatives.
Two were legislative referenda.
 

2 Constitutional Amendments Qualified

Proposition B: Health Care
Shall Missouri law be amended to enable the elderly and Missourians with disabilities to continue living independently in their homes by creating the Missouri Quality Homecare Council to ensure the availability of quality home care services under the Medicaid program by recruiting, training, and stabilizing the home care workforce?
Proponents: Missourians for Quality Home Care, http://www.moqualityhomecare.org
Opponents: No Committee Identified
PASSED 75% - 25%

Proposition C: Energy
Shall Missouri law be amended to require investor-owned electric utilities to generate or purchase electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass and hydropower with the renewable energy sources equaling at least 2% of retail sales by 2011 increasing incrementally to at least 15% by 2021, including at least 2% from solar energy; and restricting to no more than 1% any rate increase to consumers for this renewable energy?
Proponents: Missourians for Cleaner Cheaper Energy, http://www.missouricleanenergy.org/
Opponents: No Committee Identified
PASSED 66% - 34%

1 Statutory Initiative Qualified

Proposition A: Gaming
Shall Missouri law be amended to: repeal the current individual maximum loss limit for gambling; prohibit any future loss limits; require identification to enter the gambling area only if necessary to establish that an individual is at least 21 years old; restrict the number of casinos to those already built or being built; increase the casino gambling tax from 20% to 21%; create a new specific education fund from gambling tax proceeds generated as a result of this measure called the "Schools First Elementary and Secondary Education Improvement Fund"; and require annual audits of this new fund?
Proponents: Yes on A Coalition, http://www.yesforschoolsfirst.com/
Opponents: No Committee Identified
PASSED 56% - 44%

2 Constitutional Amendments Were Referred

Amendment 1: Immigration
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to add a statement that English shall be the language of all governmental meetings at which any public business is discussed, decided, or public policy is formulated whether conducted in person or by communication equipment including conference calls, video conferences, or Internet chat or message board?
PASSED 86% - 14%

Amendment 4: Administration of Government
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to change provisions relating to the financing of stormwater control projects by: limiting availability of grants and loans to public water and sewer districts only; removing the cap on available funding and existing restrictions on disbursements; requiring loan repayments to be used only for stormwater control projects?
PASSED 58% - 42%

 

For additional information please check with the Missouri Secretary of State: http://www.sos.mo.gov/