Mike Moon: Vote no on Amendments 4 and 5

In a portion of his most recent report, Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, detailed his opposition to Amendments 4 and 5, which will be on the ballot next Tuesday. That portion of his report is printed below:

Amendment 4 – NO

There is much discussion going on about the Initiative Petition process. Some are comparing it to “direct democracy.” “Direct democracy” is when citizens vote directly on a law or constitutional amendment rather than electing representatives to make the decision for them.

If we agree that Missouri’s Initiative Petition is “direct democracy,” then we should be vehemently opposed to the Hancock Amendment (you know, that “pesky” constitutional amendment, proposed by Springfield businessman, Mel Hancock, as an Initiative Petition). The late Hancock pursued the initiative process because the General Assembly had not enacted the taxpayer limitations for which he advocated.

So, Mel Hancock gave the MO General Assembly a chance to propose his idea to protect Missourians from tax increases without voter approval. In classic style, though, the legislature – at least the leaders – “thumbed their noses” at Mel and the voters.

Now, I agree that changes to the way, in which, initiatives are ratified. However, establishing one ratification method for initiatives (proposed by the people) and referendum (proposed by the legislators) is not the proper change.

Requiring a simple majority of all voters to ratify referendum and a simple majority of each of the eight congressional districts to ratify initiatives is unjust and unequal (which is required by the state constitution – Article I, section 2).

Even if it were fair, under the current make up of the state, no “conservative” (whatever that means) initiative proposal would make it past the first congressional district – meaning it would fail to be ratified.

Think of this: if Amendment 3 passes (whereby unfettered abortion is substituted for another abortion proposal – keeping abortion legal in Missouri), it is highly likely that the murder of pre-born children will remain legal (simply because an initiative will not pass muster of the first congressional district). And, because the MO General Assembly will not work to place a referendum on the ballot to end all murder of the pre-born. The reason: those supporting Amendment 3 (2026) say such a ballot measure will not pass.

(More on Amendment 3 in the coming weeks.)

While it is important to stop “bad” amendments from being passed, there is a better way to address the problem.

Amendment 5 – NO

Remember the Hancock Amendment, spoken of in this article? Although, some argue that the protection against raising taxes without voter approval will not be paused for five years, this simply is not true. If it were not true, each time a sales tax or service tax required being raised, the legislature would be required to gain the approval of the voters for each and every increase.

Taxes can currently be cut without voter approval. However, even though, Republican legislators agree that taxation is theft it’s disingenuous for the legislature to work to eliminate the income tax while raising sales taxes so that the government will not see any decreases. It’s entirely possible that many will see overall increases in what is taken by the government.

Missouri Repbulican legislators also agree that taxpayers should be able to restrict government coffers. With Amendment 5, there’s not much room for that to happen. Now, if a provision had been added to the “plan” which included no tax on the purchase of used items, that might have been a “carrot” to chase. No such provision was included.

In addition, the government has become bloated over the past decade. If Amendment 5 passes, the government is guaranteed to receive the same income as it does presently – without incentive to cut spending. As for spending cuts, we Republicans are guilty of the overspending. After all, we cobble together the requests from each of the departments and pass our suggestions on to the Governor.

The Governor has the authority to strike through any budget line.

Now, I realize that cuts will not be easy. However, there are likely Missouri residents who will be the recipients of “significant” increases to their personal spending due to the increases in taxes on sales and the implementation of taxes on services.