Missouri's SOS/TABOR dead for 2006

Coalition Warns that “Spending Lid” Will Resurface

July 24, 2006 – “Partners to Protect Missouri’s Future,” a coalition of 47 organizations, applauded today’s ruling by Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan that a “spending lid” proposal will not appear on the November ballot in Missouri.

The judge upheld Secretary of State Robin Carnahan’s rejection in May of the ballot initiative petition for Constitutional Amendment Article 14.

“While we are relieved that this damaging Constitutional Amendment will not be on the ballot this year, we remain concerned that it could resurface in the near future,” said Amy Blouin, Executive Director of the Missouri Budget Project, a statewide fiscal analysis organization. The MBP is a member of “Partners to Protect Missouri’s Future,” a coalition including business, education, health and human services, and faith-based organizations.

“We will continue our efforts to educate the public and expand our broad-based coalition.”

.The Article 14 proposal was sponsored by organizations and individuals outside Missouri. “It was irresponsible for out-of-state groups who are unfamiliar with Missouri’s fiscal situation to force further restrictions on the state’s ability to fund critical needs such as healthcare and education.

"If the proposal had gone before voters this November we are confident they would have rejected this bad idea for Missouri,” Blouin said.

“Article 14 would have severely damaged Missouri’s economic development and ability to fund basic services. Colorado suffered greatly during the 13 years that state had a TABOR Amendment, which is similar to the proposed in Missouri,” said Norma Collins, AARP associate state director for advocacy. The AARP is a member of the Partners to Protect Missouri’s Future coalition.

“We encourage Missourians to learn more about why this “spending lid” proposal would be harmful to Missouri’s financial stability and cause irreparable damage to our state,” Collins said.

The Missouri Budget Project analysis, Race to the Bottom Proposed “TABOR” Amendment Would Devastate Missouri Economic Development & Basic Services, is available at www.protectmo.org and www.mobudget.org.