Missouri Amendments 4 and 5 Discussed on Ozarks Now

Two of the most discussed issues on the Missouri August 4 Primary Ballot were the topic of discussion on KRZK's "Ozarks Now" Program.

On Monday, Lakes Area State Senator Brad Hudson talked about his support of Amendment 4, which would change the Citizen Initiative Petition process requiring such a petition to pass in all eight of the Missouri Congressional Districts instead of the simple majority now in place. Hudson feels this issue would help balance the field for amending the state's Constitution not allowing the highest population centers like Kansas City and St. Louis from dominating the process. 

The opposite view is held by Lakes Area Realtor Brent Sager, who visited the show on Tuesday representing the Missouri Realtors Association for which his is the President-Elect. Sager says this process would have the opposite effect making it tougher on rural Missouri from getting an Initiative Petition passed because it would require more support from urban areas. 

Discussion was held on Amendment 5, which would set-up financial benchmarks that could lead to the elimination of the State's income Tax while giving the government more leverage in passing Sales Taxes to make up the difference. Hudson did not take an official position on the issue, saying it is basically giving voters a choice on how they want the government to be funded. He added that if passed, it would be a few years before the effects would be felt as the legislature would need to look at laws that would raise revenue to the benchmarks established.

The Realtors Associate is also against this Amendment, with Sager saying that this could possibly lead to taxes on many services including the Real Estate Industry. Sager adds that a tax Missouri Voters got rid off, the Transfer Tax on the Purchase of Property, could be reinstated if this passes. Sager adds that while Governor Mike Kehoe has said he has no intention of recommending taxes of that nature, Sager says it is not in the language of the Ballot Issue which could leave the door open in the future. 

Both interviews can be found on the "Ozarks Now" Facebook page and can be heard below:

Brad Hudson 

Brent Sager