CHICAGO - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon issued a proclamation setting an Aug. 5 vote on a ballot question to amend the state constitution to raise the sales tax for transportation projects.
The General Assembly during its recent session passed eight ballot measures asking whether the state constitution should be amended. Five will appear on the Aug. 5 ballot. Three others will appear on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.
House Joint Resolution No. 68 proposes amending the Missouri Constitution to enact an additional sales tax to fund infrastructure projects including highways and roads.
If voters approve the sales tax hike, it would take effect on Jan. 1, 2015 and is projected to generate more than $500 million annually for roads, bridges, railroads, ports, airports and other transportation projects. It would remain in place for 10 years and could be extended with another vote. The proposal earmarks 90% of the new revenue for state projects and 10% for local ones.
If approved, the sales tax would expand the current revenue sources now used to fund transportation projects. The state's road bonds are secured by the department's primary sources of revenues including state motor fuel taxes, sales taxes on motor vehicles, and motor license fees.
Another fiscal measure set to go to voters is House Joint Resolution No. 72, which proposes including in the constitution language relating to a governor's fiscal management authority. It will appear on the November ballot. If approved, the measure would provide lawmakers with a check on the governor's power to withhold budgeted spending when state revenues fall short.
