Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
The following ballot measures have been certified for the November 8, 2022 general election.
Amendment 1
Proposed by 101st General Assembly (First Regular Session) HCS HJR 35-Griesheimer
Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:
- allow the General Assembly to override the current constitutional restrictions of state investments by the state treasurer; and
- allow state investments in municipal securities possessing one of the top five highest long term ratings or the highest short term rating?
State governmental entities estimate no costs and increased interest revenue of $2 million per year. Local governmental entities estimate no costs and increased interest revenue of at least $34,000 per year.
How to vote: No recommendations given
Amendment 3
Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:
- remove state prohibitions on purchasing, possessing, consuming, using, delivering, manufacturing, and selling marijuana for personal use for adults over the age of twenty-one;
- require a registration card for personal cultivation with prescribed limits;
- allow persons with certain marijuana-related non-violent offenses to petition for release from incarceration or parole and probation and have records expunged;
- establish a lottery selection process to award licenses and certificates;
- issue equally distributed licenses to each congressional district; and
- impose a six percent tax on the retail price of marijuana to benefit various programs?
State governmental entities estimate initial costs of $3.1 million, initial revenues of at least $7.9 million, annual costs of $5.5 million, and annual revenues of at least $40.8 million. Local governments are estimated to have annual costs of at least $35,000 and annual revenues of at least $13.8 million.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to remove state prohibitions on the purchase, possession, consumption, use, delivery, manufacture, and sale of marijuana for personal use for adults over the age of twenty-one.
The amendment would also allow individuals with certain marijuana-related offenses to petition for release from prison or parole and probation and have their records expunged; along with imposing a six percent tax on the retail price of recreational marijuana.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution and the sale and use of marijuana for recreational purposes will remain prohibited under current law. Medical marijuana would remain unchanged.
Missouri First recommends a NO vote on Amendment 3.
Conservative Americans Club recommends a NO vote on Amendment 3. Freedom Principle MO recommends a NO vote on Amendment 3.
Metro Voice recommends a NO vote on Amendment 3.
Amendment 4
Proposed by 101st General Assembly (Second Regular Session) SS2 SJR 38-Luetkemeyer
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to authorize laws, passed before December 31, 2026, that increase minimum funding for a police force established by a state board of police commissioners to ensure such police force has additional resources to serve its communities?
State and local governmental entities estimate no additional costs or savings related to this proposal.
Fair Ballot Language: A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to allow the general assembly by law to increase the minimum funding for a police force established by the state board of police commissioners to ensure such police force has additional resources to serve its communities. Currently the only police force established by the state board of police commissioners is found in Kansas City, Missouri. A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding the funding for a police force established by the state board of police commissioners. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
COMMENT: Introduced in Senate Joint Resolution 38, Amendment 4 will change the Constitution to allow the general assembly, by law, to increase minimum funding for police forces established by a state board of police commissioners. If this amendment is passed there will be no impact on taxes.
Only Kansas City has oversite by the State. Many groups are recommending a “NO” vote because local funding decisions should not be taken out of the hands of local voters. The state could gain funding control of all state police agencies.
Amendment 5
Proposed by 101st General Assembly (Second Regular Session) HJR 116 – Schnelting
Shall the Missouri National Guard currently under the Missouri Department of Public Safety be its own department, known as the Missouri Department of the National Guard, which shall be required to protect the constitutional rights and civil liberties of Missourians?
State governmental entities estimate no savings and ongoing costs of $132,000 annually. Local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.
Fair Ballot Language: A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to create the Missouri Department of the National Guard as a new state agency, headed by an adjutant general appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate. A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding the National Guard. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
The long-term consequences of the Amendment are not known. Currently a governor has the ability to call up the National Guard. How this would change by creating a new department has not been debated but pro-National Guard organizations support the Amendment.
Shall there be a convention to revise and amend the Constitution?
Fair Ballot Language: A “yes” vote will require the governor to call an election of delegates to serve at a convention for the purpose of revising or amending the Missouri Constitution. Any revisions or amendments will then be put to a vote of the people for their consideration. A “no” vote will mean no constitutional convention will be held.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
A “no” vote will mean no constitutional convention will be held. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
According to the Missouri Constitution, Article XII, section 3(a), on the first Tuesday in November 1962, and every twenty years after, the Secretary of State shall submit to the electorate the following question: “Shall there be a convention to revise and amend the constitution?” Differing from a convention of states to amend the United States Constitution, this convention would only be called to amend the state constitution of Missouri. The importance of a constitutional convention is that it provides the citizens of Missouri an opportunity to change their state constitution should they wish to do so. In the three previous times this ballot measure has been put to the voters, it has failed. If passed, the governor would call for an election of delegates and a Constitutional Convention would be set. Additionally, this measure will have no impact on taxes if passed.
Conservative groups recommend a “NO” vote on this question. Much of the reasoning is that opening up the State Constitution, a venerable document that has served the citizens well, will open a door for outside groups such as George Soros to influence the constitution.
–Metro Voice
