Behind a proposed ‘spending and finance’ amendment
By Amy Blouin
Missouri Budget Project
Most Missourians are aware of numerous petitions circulating this spring to place various issues on the November ballot. Of all the initiative petitions for which voter signatures are being gathered, probably the most critical issue has been largely unnoticed so far.
A group calling itself “Missourians in Charge” hit the streets recently with a proposal to create “Article XIV,” an Amendment to Missouri’s Constitution. It is described vaguely as “pertaining to spending and finance.” But, the wording of the petition doesn’t explain what Article 14 would mean for Missouri’s future.
It’s no mistake that “Missourians in Charge” has not sought media attention. This group doesn’t really want you to notice the petition – they just want you to sign it.
The Missouri Budget Project has thoroughly researched Article 14. Here are the facts you need to know:
? Article 14 is not a Missouri-only initiative. It is identical to Colorado’s TABOR Amendment, which has had devastating affects on that state’s economy and ability to fund basic services such as health care and education.
? Article 14 in Missouri would impose the lowest revenue lid in the nation, and would effectively be like Missouri’s “Hancock Amendment on Steroids.” It would severely reduce the available state and local funding for education, health care, roads, transportation, higher education, firefighters and public safety.
? The fiscal note indicates that the proposal would actually reduce Missouri revenues for these services by $280 million in the first year. The Missouri Budget Project’s analysis shows that by the sixth year of implementation, Article 14 would take away more than $1.2 billion dollars in that year alone. Additionally, it would reduce the state’s ability to generate federal dollars.
? If Article 14 was in effect today, even the minor increases in education funding proposed in Governor Matt Blunt’s fiscal year 2007 budget would be unconstitutional.
The only state which has a measure like Article 14 is Colorado; voters decided their TABOR Amendment had done significant damage to the state’s economy and funding for basic services. Last November, the Colorado business community led a bipartisan coalition of unions, chambers of commerce, teachers, PTA leaders, firefighters and others in a successful effort to suspend TABOR for five years.
TABOR was a proven failure in Colorado. Why would we want to repeat their mistake by adopting Article 14 to the Missouri Constitution? Why would we be swayed by outsiders wanting to impose damaging policies in our state?
If you are concerned about Missouri’s ability to enjoy healthy economic growth, if you want to ensure quality education for our children and college students, if you want Missouri’s public safety officers and first-responders to have the resources they need – then oppose Article 14.
If you are asked to sign the Article 14 petition, say no to this bad idea for Missouri.
More information is available at the Partners to Protect Missouri’s Future website at www.protectmo.org. The Missouri Budget Project is a statewide, nonpartisan nonprofit fiscal analysis organization.