Missouri constitution

A new report from Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick says Missouri is facing a budget cliff. Gov. Mike Kehoe says he thinks the state’s budget needs to shrink as a result, and suggests some nonprofits or local municipalities could fund some programs instead.

Missouri voters passed a constitutional amendment in 2024 mandating that state-controlled police departments be given 25% of their city's general revenue. Although Kansas City was the only such department at the time, St. Louis Police was taken over by the state last year.

Judges increasingly have found that official summaries from Missouri election officials fail to tell voters what ballot measures would actually do — forcing rewrites on amendments about abortion, redistricting and more. Republicans say courts are overstepping.

Amendment 5, which is aimed at eliminating the income tax, will stay on the August 4 ballot. But the court ruled that the summary must ensure voters know they are giving lawmakers authority to impose new sales taxes without current constitutional restrictions.

Voters in Missouri will decide whether the state can expand sales and uses taxes, in order to eliminate the income tax. Local government officials worry about how it will impact businesses, consumers, revenue for services like parks and transit, and budget planning.

Opponents argue that the proposal to expand sales and use taxes, known as Amendment 5, violated constitutional prohibitions on addressing more than one subject. They plan to appeal the ruling.

Opponents contend the measure would violate a ban on constitutional amendments including more than one subject. They also argue the ballot summary is misleading and should be changed.

The case brought by the NAACP attempted to quash Missouri bills that gerrymandered the congressional map and changed the initiative petition process. But the Supreme Court unanimously ruled the governor could call a special session whenever the legislature isn't already meeting.

The November measure would essentially reinstate Missouri's abortion ban by repealing the reproductive rights amendment voters approved in 2024. It would also add a constitutional ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

Voters will see two controversial questions on Missouri’s statewide ballot in August, when turnout is expected to be lower. Amendment 4 would make it much harder for citizens to change the constitution, while Amendment 5 seeks to expand sales taxes.

An amendment banning abortion will go before Missouri voters in November, possibly alongside a referendum on the state's gerrymandered congressional map. But a proposal to expand sales taxes and eliminate the income tax will appear in the smaller-turnout August election.

Missouri voters will decide later this year whether to eliminate the state's income tax. Small business owners would be among those to feel the effects most acutely if the measure were to pass.