(KFVS) - Missourians voted on the Aug. 5 ballot they did not want to see an increase in sales tax to repair and improve the state's roads and highways.
That means a tax would not be added on every day items. However, there will be no extra money put toward transportation projects.
The ballot measure read as follows:
The measure asked voters to decide if they want to increase the statewide sales tax by 3/4 of a cent for 10 years.
The money from the increase would be used solely for transportation projects, like improving roads and highways, bridges and public transit.
Right now, Missouri's sales tax stands at 4.225 percent.
The tax would've gone up by 3/4 a cent.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the measure would've provided $480 million annually for transportation improvements.
The sales tax increase would not have impacted the price of medicine, gasoline or groceries. It would have increased the price on typical every day items.
Some of the projects the money would have gone to in the Heartland include:
- $25 million to replace the I-55 overpass at Bloomfield Road in Cape Girardeau,
- $43 million to add lanes to Route 67 in Poplar Bluff going toward Arkansas,$62 million to add lanes to Route 412 in Kennett.
Voters have rejected a ballot measure that would have created a Missouri Lottery scratch-off ticket with net proceeds designated to help veterans.
Historically, proceeds from the Missouri lottery have helped fund education; however, if it is passed, Missouri Constitutional Amendment No. 8 could expand that.
The ballot measure reads as follows:
"Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to create a 'Veterans Lottery Ticket' and to use the revenue from the sale of these tickets for projects and services related to veterans?
The annual cost or savings to state and local governmental entities is unknown, but likely minimal. If sales of a veterans lottery ticket game decrease existing lottery ticket sales, the profits of which fund education, there could be a small annual shift in funding from education to veterans' programs."
It's asking voters to decide if a new lottery ticket should be created to fund projects and services related to veterans.
A "yes" vote would mean you want this type of lottery ticket to be developed.
That would allot 25 cents of every dollar spent on the ticket to the Missouri Veterans Commission.
A "no" vote would not allow the creation of a new ticket.
to learn more.
Missourians voted yes to amend the Missouri Constitution to specify that electronic data and communications have the same privacy protections as your home and personal belongings.
Official ballot language:
"Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended so that the people shall be secure in their electronic communications and data from unreasonable searches and seizures as they are now likewise secure in their persons, homes, papers and effects?
State and local governmental entities expect no significant costs or savings."
Essentially, it asked voters to decide if things like your text messages and emails should be treated the same as their personal belongings or homes.
The yes vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to require police to have a warrant to access a person's electronic data.
It will also make it so information like conceal and carry licenses can't be sent to the federal government or other third parties.
The fourth amendment of the U.S. Constitution currently protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures.
However, this amendment is making it so that electronic data and communications have the same protections from unreasonable searches and seizures as persons, papers, homes and effects.
This measure will have no impact on taxes, nor do state and local governments expect any costs or savings from the bill.
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