Dear Editor,
I know the weather is hot and everyone is tired of all the current political mess, but we have a very important primary election coming up on August 4. Please make a plan to VOTE and show up as we celebrate this 250th Anniversary of the freedom of the United States. Missouri has some very important issues on the ballot that our politicians have tried to bury in the primary ballot with unclear ballot language that need your attention.
Amendment 4 completely changes the ability of Missourians to bring initiative petitions. This has been our constitutional right since 1908 to bring ideas of what we (the people) want to see added to the Missouri Constitution or laws by signing petitions and bringing them to our legislature. However, in recent years our legislature has been trying to find ways to ignore and suppress such citizen input and now wants to take away MAJORITY RULE and the right to bring initiatives. They want to shred this very principle of democracy and take away our voice. I would like to encourage you to vote NO on Amendment 4 to protect our voice and ability to give input on legislation in Missouri by initiative petitions.
Amendment 5 is being promoted as a way to remove Missouri Income Tax but unfortunately it would create a $8.5 BILLION shortfall in Missouri’s budget. That money funds our SCHOOLS, healthcare, infrastructure, and services for the elderly, disabled, and children. The first way to replace that huge amount of money is to raise the sales tax (up to 15-20% across Missouri) on everything you buy. That means EVERYONE will pay more taxes on everything they buy and our economy is already hurting with people unable to afford food, gas, and living expenses. The second way is to create new taxes on goods and services (repairs on your home, car, rent, healthcare, prescriptions, etc.). This also hits every Missourian, especially those who are barely getting by financially now. It only benefits the wealthiest few. States with no income tax LOST businesses (Florida- 18,792 and Tennessee 10,000) last year while Missouri under our current fairer taxing system gained 10,000 businesses. This amendment will cripple our state and hurt the average person, so I urge you to vote NO on Amendment 5.
I would remind you that for early voting our current County Clerk office is at Reese School (301 W. Market Street, Suite 111). Easy parking is accessed on Warren Street by Reese. They are open 8:30-4:30 M-F until Election Day.
Early voting is now open, and Election Day is August 4! Please make a plan to VOTE and bring your friends. This is a very important election and we need to speak up and preserve our right to majority rule and say how our state handles our money and taxes.
Sincerely,
Marla Tobin, MD
Warrensburg
