Jefferson City, MO- The Missouri House gave approval this week to a piece of legislation sponsored by Rep. Barney Fisher, R-Richards, that proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing a dedicated sales tax for veterans.
Upon voter approval, this proposed constitutional amendment (HJR 71) would authorize a dedicated sales tax of one-eighth of a cent for funding veterans' homes, services, and programs.
Veterans organizations are calling for the funding to help build more bed space in new or existing veterans' homes. Currently, there are up to a thousand veterans on waiting lists in Missouri. Supporters say it would bring in from $60 to $80 million a year and would help provide for older veterans as well as ones returning home from current military operations.
"I don't think we are going to be able to put a veterans home in every county - that is what it would take to meet the absolute, ultimate need - but this is what the Veterans Commission says they need and this is what I am trying to help get them," Rep. Fisher said.
The amendment would also constitutionally establish the Missouri Veterans' Commission within the Department of Public Safety consisting of nine members, five of whom will be veterans appointed by the Governor. The other four will be members from the General Assembly, two from the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker, and two from the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tem, each serving a single two-year term.
The resolution now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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