In 1980, Missouri voters used the petition process to stop politicians from taxing us without voter approval. Voters are asked to consider removing that limit with Amendment 5 on the August 4 ballot.
In the estimated FY 2026 budget for Missouri’s General Revenue, 65% ($8.45 billion) comes from Individual Income Tax. The loss of income tax revenue would need to be offset by other revenue. Approval of Amendment 5 by the voters would allow politicians to raise sales taxes on all goods and services including many you don’t currently pay tax on to provide revenue for the state. Amendment 5 would allow future legislators to decide what gets taxed and how much you pay. The swap of tax revenue from income tax to sales tax shifts more burden on you. Sales tax is a more regressive tax and disproportionately impacts seniors, families, individuals on a fixed income, and working Missourians the hardest. Therefore, we should vote NO on Amendment 5.
Amendment 4 would change Missouri’s petition process and make it more difficult for citizens to amend the state Constitution. Protecting the petition process as it is now utilized is paramount in limiting the influence of wealthy special interests and out-of-state donors. When citizens have a meaningful and accessible way to bring issues directly to voters, political power does not rest exclusively with those who can spend the most money influencing lawmakers and the political process.
Missouri’s petition process has belonged to its citizens since 1908. It gives ordinary Missourians a method to organize, collect signatures, put an issue before voters, and then allow Missouri voters to decide. If we choose to weaken that process, we will risk shifting power away from citizens and toward those with the money and resources to influence the political system. Therefore, we should vote NO on Amendment 4.
Amendments 4 and 5 are connected. If approved, Amendment 5 could remove existing taxpayer protection. If approved, Amendment 4 could make it substantially harder, if not impossible, for citizens to use the petition process to have a voice in the decision-making in our state. We should vote NO on Amendments 4 and 5.
Connie Toney
