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Initiative Petition Relating to a Public Sector Job Program and Capital Gains Taxes Approved for Circulation for 2016 Ballot

 

Jefferson City, Mo. — Secretary of State Jason Kander today announced an initiative petition relating to a public sector job program and capital gains taxes met state standards for circulation.

The official ballot title for initiative petition 2016-062 reads:

Shall Missouri law be amended to impose a 10 percent capital gains tax on Missouri residents to create a state program that provides public sector jobs to eligible Missouri residents in lieu of unemployment benefits?

If approved, state governmental entities estimate annual revenue increases of about $617 million to fund the proposed program. State government may lose $50 million in federal funding annually and businesses in the state may have increased federal unemployment tax costs of $889 million annually. The fiscal impact to local government is unknown.

The petition, which would amend Chapters 286 and 143 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, was submitted by Winston Apple, 15517 East 40th St. S., Independence, MO 64055.

Before any statutory changes can be brought before Missouri voters in the November 2016 election, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to five (5) percent of the total votes cast in the 2012 governor’s election from six of the state’s eight congressional districts.

Signatures on behalf of all initiative petitions for the 2016 ballot are due to the secretary of state’s office by no later than 5 p.m. on May 8, 2016.

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.