2006 Fair Ballot Language

Fair Ballot Language
Constitutional Amendment 2

A "yes" vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to allow and set limitations on stem cell research, therapies, and cures which will:

• ensure Missouri patients have access to any therapies and cures, and allow Missouri researchers to conduct any research, permitted under federal law;

• ban human cloning or attempted cloning;

• require expert medical and public oversight and annual reports on the nature and purpose of any stem cell research;

• impose criminal and civil penalties for any violations; and

• prohibit state or local governments from preventing or discouraging lawful research, therapies and cures.

A "no" vote would not ensure that stem cell research permitted under federal law is allowed to be conducted in Missouri and that Missouri patients have access to stem cell therapies and cures permitted under federal law.

This measure will have no impact on taxes.

Fair Ballot Language
Constitutional Amendment 3

A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to create the Healthy Future Trust Fund.  This Fund will be used to reduce and prevent tobacco use. The Fund also will be used to increase funding for healthcare access and treatment for eligible low-income Missourians and Medicaid recipients. In addition, it will pay for the cost of administering the fund.

Money for the Fund will be generated by a tax on tobacco products. The tax will be four cents per cigarette and twenty percent on other tobacco products.

This Fund will be maintained and kept separate from general revenue and it will be audited annually.

A “no” vote means a Healthy Future Trust Fund would not be created to reduce and prevent tobacco use or increase funding for healthcare access and treatment for eligible low-income Missourians and Medicaid recipients.  And no additional tax would be imposed on tobacco products.

If passed, this measure will increase taxes on tobacco products.

Fair Ballot Language
Constitutional Amendment 6

A "yes" vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to include a tax exemption for real and personal property that is used or held exclusively for nonprofit purposes or activities of veterans’ organizations.

A "no" vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to include a tax exemption for real and personal property that is used or held exclusively for nonprofit purposes or activities of veterans’ organizations.

The measure, if passed, and if an exemption from taxation is subsequently enacted, will decrease taxes on real and personal property used or held exclusively for nonprofit purposes or activities of veterans’ organizations.

Fair Ballot Language
Constitutional Amendment 7

A "yes" vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to disqualify any statewide elected official, member of the General Assembly or state judge from receiving any pension from the state of Missouri if such official is convicted of a felony which occurred while in office.  These officials will also be disqualified from receiving a pension if they are removed from office for misconduct or after impeachment. These restrictions shall apply after January 1, 2007.

This Proposition further changes provisions relating to the Missouri Citizens' Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials.  The Constitution currently provides that every two years, a citizens commission determines the compensation for statewide elected officials, members of the General Assembly, and state judges based on their duties.  The purpose of this commission is to ensure that the power to control the rate of compensation of elected officials is retained and exercised by Missouri taxpayers.  This Proposition will prevent the General Assembly from changing the commission's recommended compensation schedule for elected officials through the appropriation process.  Instead, the General Assembly will only be allowed to disapprove the commission's recommendations by a two-thirds majority vote.  Members of the General Assembly cannot receive any compensation increase approved by the Citizens' Commission until January 1, 2009.

A "no" vote would allow payment of a pension from the state of Missouri to any statewide elected official, legislator or state judge who is convicted of a felony occurring while they were in office or who were removed from office for misconduct or following impeachment.  The compensation schedule of statewide elected officials, legislators and state judges determined every two years by the Citizens' Commission would continue to be subject to change by the General Assembly through the appropriation process.

This measure will have no impact on taxes.

Fair Ballot Language
Proposition B

A "yes" vote will amend Missouri statutes to increase the state minimum wage rate to $6.50 per hour, or to the level of the federal minimum wage, whichever is higher.  Every year thereafter, the state minimum wage rate will be adjusted based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.

A "no" vote will not increase or set a state minimum wage rate.

This measure will have no impact on taxes.