Missouri Ballot Amendment Voter Guide
Metro Voice is weighing in on Missouri’s amendments on the August 4 ballot. Several have the opportunity to change the state for generations to come.
Amendment 1
Parks and Conservation Sales Tax Renewal.
This is not a new tax. It only renews the state’s current modest 1/10th of 1% sales and use tax for an additional 10 years. It is solely dedicated to soil and water conservation, all state parks and historic sites, and does NOT go into the general fund, protecting it from being raided by legislators. It typically generates $140 million each year. It is instrumental in keeping our lakes and rivers clean, the upkeep on parks, and assisting farmers in preventing erosion to keep fertilizers and mud from entering our waterways and lakes. This tax renewal means most state parks will remain free to use.
Recommendation: Vote YES
Amendment 2
Election of County Assessors.
This amendment specifically targets Jackson County after the recent sales tax fiasco. It would require every Missouri charter county, like Jackson County, to elect its county assessor and return the decision-making to the people instead of the County Legislature. It requires charter county assessors to meet training requirements that are already set by state law. Jackson County is currently the only county exempted from this law and this helps rein in the power of the assessor and brings accountability to the position.
My recommendation: Vote YES
Amendment 4
Congressional-District Approval for Citizen Initiatives.
Perhaps the most important amendment on the ballot. It changes the approval process for constitutional amendments. They currently pass with a simple statewide majority. In recent elections, Amendments that affect all Missourians have passed only with supermajorities in Jackson, Boone and St. Louis. That means that out-of-state money can flood those three counties to pass an amendment even while the state’s other 111 counties voted against it. Under this new plan, for an amendment to pass, it must have a majority in each of the state’s eight congressional districts. It is supported by the Missouri Farm Bureau and Chamber of Commerce.
The argument is that the state constitution should not be altered by the residents in three or four densely populated counties but, rather, by majorities across the entire state. It is protection against outside interests who can pour tens of millions of advertising dollars and signature gatherers into just three or four counties to control the state constitution.
My recommendation: Vote YES
Amendment 5
Phaseout of the State’s Individual Income Tax.
This amendment will phase out the state personal income tax, but it authorizes expanded and new sales and use taxation.
The reality is nothing is free. I’m breaking with some conservative policy groups here. Missouri already has a comparatively low income tax rate. Our 4.7 top rate is lower than 32 states. Another study found it is the 12th lowest overall state and local tax burden in the country. When you take into consideration that 9 states have no income tax, we have roughly the 4th to 8th lowest tax burden. I hate taxes, but we are NOT a high-income tax state.
There is currently not enough revenue in the state to offset the loss of income. That’s why the legislature says it will “phase in” the elimination of taxes by cutting programs and authorizing broader sales and use taxation. There are not enough cuts to make up for the deficit. In addition, most of the states with no income tax are huge tourism draws. Those states generate tens of billions in tourist spending: Florida $135 billion; Texas $98 billion; Even Tennessee (which proponents like to compare Missouri to) takes in $32 billion. Missouri: Our tourism generates just $12 billion in tourism spending. I hate to tell you this, but Branson, Kansas City and St. Louis will never compete with no-income-tax states Tennessee, Washington State, and Texas in generating tourism taxes, not to mention Florida!
What other fees or taxes do no-income-tax states assess compared to Missouri?
- Missouri averages 0.8%–0.9% for home property tax. Texas assesses 1.4%. New Hampshire: 1.5%
- Missouri’s gas tax is 29.5 cents per gallon. Washington State is nearly double at 56.5 cents.
- Missouri’s average sales tax is 8.44%. Washington State is 9.57%. Tennessee is 9.61%
- Missouri vehicle registration averages $61. Florida is $255 PLUS the plate charges!
- Missouri taxes businesses on Net Income. No-tax states on Gross Receipts.
More real estate taxes
In addition: No-tax states assess special taxes when you buy or sell your home or commercial property. Missouri has NO state transfer tax and no state mortgage tax.
So-called no-income-tax states? Here’s the average tax on selling your $400,000 home:
- Florida: $4560
- Tennessee: $1844
- New Hampshire: $3000 buyer and $3000 seller
- Washington State: $5400 to $6400
- Nevada: $1560 to $2040.
No-tax states TAX the following, where Missouri does NOT tax these:
- The big one: Metered water, electricity, natural gas, wood, propane fuel for homes.
- Lawn care and landscaping
- Pool cleaning
- Janitorial and custodial work
- Residential and business garbage service
- Pest control
- Advertising services
- Some no-tax states tax having your home painted!
- General home and appliance repairs
- Groceries
- Estate tax after your death
- Inheritance tax
No-Income tax states also tax:
- Streaming services
- IT work
- Any digital automated service
- Website development
- Dry cleaning services
What will happen is that, sure, your personal income tax will eventually go away, but that “growing revenue” in other areas? Every other tax and fee you pay to the state WILL GO UP. The legislature admitted it.
It’s difficult for the state to raise our personal income tax without us noticing. But it’s a lot easier with the drip, drip, drip to increase or start taxing things we might not immediately notice, like streaming. A few dollars here and a few dollars there, and before you know it, you’ll be taxed on just about everything you use or do in the state of Missouri.
Recommendation: VOTE NO
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
