Editorial

Nov. 8 ballot includes a variety of issues

Saturday, October 22, 2016

When Missourians go to the polls in just over two weeks, the obvious focus will be at the top of the ballot. The all-important presidential race along with a closely-followed senate and gubernatorial race will dominate the ballot interest.

But it's important to note that Missourians will also decide the fate of five constitutional amendment and one proposition. These issues are critical for our state as well.

Here's our take on these little-discussed issues.

Amendment 1

This is probably the easiest proposal to decide. If approved - as it has been overwhelmingly in the past - this measure would continue a one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax for soil and water conservation as well as state parks and historic sites.

This measure will not increase taxes and will continue the ongoing quality of our state parks and conservation efforts.

We recommend a resounding yes vote.

Amendment 2

This measure is intended to limit the amount of campaign contributions from shadowy sources and puts some requirements on corporations and labor organizations when they seek to fund candidates.

Missouri is not immune to ethics scandals in Jefferson City as recent news headlines will confirm. This amendment would put a spotlight on some of these out-of-state contributions as well as wealthy entities trying to unfairly influence elections here.

We recommend a yes vote on this measure.

Amendment 3

On the surface, this amendment looks to be a no brainer. The amendment - which would be enshrined in our state constitution - would massively increase the tax on cigarettes with those funds earmarked for early childhood health and education.

The measure looks appealing especially when you consider the beneficiaries of these new funds.

But as is so often the case, the devil is in the details. Sponsored and funded by the tobacco industry, this measure is like a Christmas tree with enough ornaments to light up a room.

Though we would ultimately support a cigarette tax hike, this measure is a cumbersome and poorly worded measure that would potentially benefit the tobacco industry as much as kids in Missouri.

We recommend a no vote on this measure.

Amendment 4

If you're against yet another tax, then you'll support Amendment 4. There are those who propose a cockeyed and ill-conceived attempt to impose yet more taxes - this time on services like haircuts. It is an attempt to generate more tax revenue on a new aspect of our lives. The measure would prohibit this unwanted and unneeded attempt to reach deeper into your pocket.

We strongly support a yes vote on Amendment 4

Amendment 6

Here we go again. This amendment would place into the state constitution a requirement for photo identification to vote in Missouri.

It's sometimes hard to swallow the Republican argument that this measure would eliminate instances of voter fraud. But the Democrats' argument that it would disenfranchise voters falls flat as well.

We have consistently supported photo ID requirements as common sense. And this measure would go a long way toward achieving that goal.

Despite our support and the popularity of this measure, we fear this proposal will eventually end up in the hands of the courts.

Regardless, Missourians need to have their opinions heard and this is the best way possible.

We recommend a yes vote on Amendment 6

Proposition A

Once again, it's all about taxing cigarettes and putting those funds to some useful purpose. For Prop A, the funds would go for transportation infrastructure.

And once again, it sounds appealing. Tax cigarettes and help to improve our roads and bridges.

But like the other cigarette tax idea, this one has more question marks than answers.

After several failures to generate support for additional transportation funding, backers this time look to smokers for the answers. Of course we want better roads and bridges but this measure falls far short of what is needed. There are more escape clauses than Houdini and this measures makes little sense.

We recommend a no vote on this measure.

Michael Jensen

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