Early voting for the Aug. 4 primaries in Missouri is about to start, with voters able to cast no-excuse absentee ballots starting July 21. On the ballot this year are four state questions that have big implications for issues including the state income tax and the initiative petition process.
Statewide Issues
The Missouri parks, soils and water state sales tax is a 0.1% tax that goes toward state parks and historic sites and water and soil conservation efforts. If renewed, the state sales tax would remain at 4.225%. The tax has been in place since the 1980s and needs reapproval every 10 years.
Amendment 2 would require the position of county assessor to be an elected official in all counties, including charter counties. Amendment 4 would change the initiative petition process to require measures to pass in all eight congressional districts instead of by a simple statewide majority.
Amendment 5 would direct lawmakers to eliminate the state income tax. To achieve that goal, the General Assembly would have authority for the next five years to raise the state sales tax and expand the base of taxable goods and services without needing additional voter approval.
Original reporting: The Beacon (Kansas City) — read the source article.
