Editorial -- The People of Missouri Have Spoken

The people of Missouri have spoken. People in every corner of the state overwhelmingly rejected measures that would have given blank checks to politicians. Amendment 4 would have given politicians a blank check to rewrite our state constitution while making it much harder for citizen petitions to get off the ground. Amendment 5 would have given politicians a blank check to jack up sales taxes and tax goods and services that have historically never been taxed in Missouri. 

People have overwhelmingly elected a conservative majority in the state. But we believe in checks and balances. An informed public is essential to reigning in the excesses of any body of government, regardless of who is in charge. The legislature has just as much of a right to participate in the process as anyone else. They can and do put measures on the ballot, and some of them get passed. The current state of affairs is fair and adequate.

Regarding Amendment 5, none of us like to pay taxes. But taxes are the price we pay to live in a civilized society. People have been hammered with inflation since COVID-19 broke out in this country, and the sticker shock from sales taxes would have made it even worse and discouraged the very economic activity the legislature says it supports.

People want roads, bridges, and schools fully funded, a law enforcement system that puts criminals behind bars and takes crime seriously, and more control over their own lives.

The margin of defeat of Amendments 4 and 5 show that there is a serious gap of trust between the politicians and the public. If they want to earn it back, one thing they could do is restore local control to our counties and cities. 

Local control for CAFO's was fair and adequate. Some places, like Mercer County, welcomed them with open arms in response to the 1980's farm crisis. Other places, like Worth County, are much more skeptical. The same thing applies to data centers. Some places welcome them with open arms. Other places, including people in Nodaway County, are much more skeptical and have concerns about health, water, and quality of life.