JEFFERSON CITY – Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced that two initiative petitions relating to income, earnings and sales taxes have met state standards for circulation.
The ballot title for the first petition reads:
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
eliminate taxes paid by individuals based on income or earnings and sales and use taxes, including taxes paid by corporations and individuals, with certain exceptions;
require the legislature to impose an expanded state sales tax on all sales and services, and allow the legislature to increase taxes up to 5½% on purchases of food and 7% on other sales and services, with certain exceptions; and
require that state and local cumulative sales tax rate not exceed 10%, with certain exceptions?
Annual state government revenue under this proposal may increase by up to $300 million, or decrease by up to $1.5 billion. The proposal is estimated to increase state operating costs by at least $12.8 million, and may accelerate tax credit redemptions. The fiscal impact to local governments is unknown.
The ballot title for the second petition reads:
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
eliminate taxes paid by individuals based on income or earnings and sales and use taxes, including taxes paid by corporations and individuals, with certain exceptions;
require the legislature to impose an expanded state sales tax on all sales and services, and allow the legislature to increase taxes up to 5½% on purchases of food and 7% on other sales and services, with certain exceptions;
require that state and local cumulative sales tax rate not exceed 10%, with certain exceptions; and
provide for a real property tax credit for eligible homeowners?
Annual state government revenue under this proposal may increase by up to $300 million, or decrease by up to $1.5 billion. The proposal is estimated to increase state operating costs by at least $12.9 million, and may accelerate tax credit redemptions. The fiscal impact to local governments is unknown.
The petitions, which would amend Article X of the Missouri Constitution, were submitted by Mr. Marc H. Ellinger, 308 East High Street, Ste. 301, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101-3237.
Before any constitutional changes can be brought before Missouri voters in the November 2012 election, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to eight (8) percent of the total votes cast in the 2008 governor’s election from six of the state’s nine congressional districts.
Signatures on behalf of all initiative petitions for the 2012 ballot are due to the Secretary of State’s office by no later than 5 p.m. on May 6, 2012.
Before circulating petitions, state law requires that groups must first have the form of their petition approved by the Secretary of State and Attorney General. The Secretary of State then prepares a summary statement of no more than 100 words and the State Auditor prepares a fiscal impact statement, both of which are subject to the approval of the Attorney General. When both statements are approved, they become the official ballot title.
