PRESENTED BY THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MISSOURI Statewide Ballot Issues August 5, 2014

Shall Missouri law be amended to ensure that the right of Missouri citizens to engage in agricultural production and ranching practices shall not be infringed? Proposition 1: The Missouri Right-to-Farm Amendment Potential costs or savings are unknown but likely limited unless the resolution leads to increased litigation cost and/or loss of federal funding. No impact on taxes.

PROS CONS  Farmers need protection from outside interest groups (environmentalists, etc.) who threaten to regulate them.  Will save jobs, protect family farms and small farmers.  Could favor corporate (Tyson) over family farms.  Could allow more damage to environment/rivers, streams.  Difficult to control super- bugs due to less regulation of antibiotics, etc.  Possible increased litigation. Proposition 1: Right-to Farm

Major supporters are feed lots (Tyson, etc). One presumes they see it as allowing less regulation of their industry One purpose is to undo the Puppy Mill proposition previously passed by voters The measure is extremely vague and potentially far- reaching The League of Women Voters opposes this proposition Proposition 1: Right to Farm The League Position

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to include a declaration that the right to keep and bear arms is an unalienable right and that the state government is obligated to uphold that right? Proposition 5: Right to Bear Arms Amendment State and local government entities should have no direct costs or savings. However passage will likely lead to increased litigation and criminal justice- related costs. Total potential costs unknown, but could be significant.

PROS CONS  Would include ammunition and related accessories.  Doesn’t prevent legislature from limiting rights of certain felons or those with mental disorders.  Would require higher standard of review on constitutionality of gun controls.  Would make it more difficult to reduce gun violence and enact local, state, and federal common- sense laws.  Constitutional provision allowing restriction on concealed guns would be repealed. Proposition 5: Right to Bear Arms

The law enforcement community largely opposes this measure Data shows that reducing purchase-licensing provisions leads to a higher murder rate. Challenging federal laws and regulations will lead to significant legal expenses for the state. The League of Women Voters opposes this proposition Proposition 5: Right to Bear Arms The League Position

Should the Missouri Constitution be changed to enact a temporary sales tax of three-quarters of one percent to be used solely to fund state and local highways, roads, bridges and transportation projects for ten (10) years, with priority given to repairing unsafe roads and bridges ? Proposition 7: Missouri Temporary Sales Tax for Transportation Amendment Expected to produce $480 million annually to state Transportation Safety and Job Creation Fund, and $54 million for local governments. Prohibits increases in gas tax. Cannot be diverted to other uses.

PROS CONS  Poor roads and bridges need repair.  Gasoline tax revenue declining.  Will increase jobs and economy.  Will increase road safety, save lives.  Regressive sales tax burdens poor, working class, seniors.  Trucking industry exemption.  Sales tax will increase to cents for each $10.00 purchase (excepting food, medications, gasoline ) Proposition 7: Transportation Sales Tax

A temporary tax should not be enshrined in the state constitution. Truckers cause most of the damage to our roads and bridges, but would pay nothing to help fix it. It would increase financial stress on the poor, the elderly and others, many of whom do not drive and rely on public transportation (not a priority of this measure). The League of Women Voters opposes this proposition Proposition 7: Transportation Sales Tax The League Position

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 ? Proposition 8: Veterans Lottery Ticket Amendment The annual cost or savings to state and local governmental entities is unknown, but likely minimal. If sales of veterans lottery tickets decrease existing lottery sales, profits of which fund education, there could be a small annual shift in funding from education to veterans’ programs.

PROS CONS  Revenue would be used for Missouri Veterans’ services and projects.  Fund seven veterans’ homes with waiting list of  No tax impact  Could take away ticket sales from Education Lottery.  Special lotteries allow state legislature to lower appropriations. Proposition 8: Veterans Lottery Amendment The League takes no position on this issue

Shall Missouri law 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? Proposition 9: Missouri Electronic Data Protection Amendment State and local governmental entities expect no significant costs or savings. No impact on taxes.

PROS CONS  Logical extension of existing protections from unwarranted searches, seizures.  Electronic data on cell phones and other private devices will be protected.  Might make it more difficult for law enforcement to investigate cyber- crimes.  State actions are limited without federal action on this issue. Proposition 9: Missouri Electronic Data Protection The League takes no position on this issue