Jefferson City, Mo. — Secretary of State Jason Kander today announced an initiative petition relating to prohibiting new state or local sales/use taxes met state standards for circulation.
The official ballot title for initiative petition 2016-058 reads:
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to prohibit a new state or local sales/use tax on any service or activity that was not subject to a sales/use tax as of January 1, 2015?
Potential costs to state and local governmental entities are unknown, but could be significant. The proposal’s passage would impact governmental entity’s ability to revise their tax structures. State and local governments expect no savings from this proposal.
The petition, which would amend Article X of Missouri Constitution, was submitted by Chuck Hatfield, 230 West McCarty St., Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Before any constitutional changes can be brought before Missouri voters in the November 2016 election, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to eight (8) 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.
