Statewide support for Amendment 3 unusually strong

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- When it comes to statewide ballot measures in Missouri, the outcome is rarely as lopsided as was the case with Tuesday's ratification of the transportation-related Amendment 3.

On the rare occasions when 70 percent or more of the state's electorate lines up for or against an issue, it is usually on a matter that sparks intense emotions, such as the constitutional ban on gay marriage which in August passed with 70.7 percent support, or to thwart a tax increase, such as the half-billion tax increase for transportation that fell with 72.5 percent opposition in 2002.

Therefore, it shocked even supporters that a whopping 78.9 percent of Missouri voters favored Amendment 3, a relatively low-profile proposal that was overshadowed by contentious political races in Missouri.

Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce president John Mehner, who was involved in the ratification effort, said he didn't anticipate the measure would pass by such a wide margin.

"I knew there was a strong feeling for it, but for anything to get that much support is surprising," Mehner said.

A key selling point of the $2 million campaign for passage, which was largely funded by road builders and business groups, was the promise Amendment 3 would provide more money to fix roads and bridges without a tax increase.

Among 18 Southeast Missouri counties, support slightly outpaced the statewide average with one in every eight votes cast going in the "yes" column.

The support was highest in Perry County, where 84.5 percent of voters endorsed ratification. Carter County voters were the least enthusiastic about the measure, although it still passed there overwhelmingly with 69.7 percent in favor. Every other area county ratified it by at least a 3-to-1 margin.

Starting with the fiscal year beginning July 1, Amendment 3 will free up about $30 million for the Missouri Department of Transportation by more tightly restricting the legislature's ability to allocate funds from fuel taxes and license fees to other state agencies.

Shifting proceeds

The big money, however, comes from shifting to MoDOT the portion of proceeds from the sales tax on motor vehicles that has always helped pay for general state services, such as education and health care. Supporters estimate that once that provision is fully implemented in 2008 it will provide an additional $130 million for transportation.

Pat Martin, a spokeswoman for the opposition group No on Amendment 3, said supporters misled voters into thinking the sales tax money had always been intended for MoDOT when in fact it hadn't.

With a strictly grassroots campaign and little funding, opponents were unable to counter that false perception, Martin said.

"On the surface, it sounded good," Martin said. "It was only when people knew the facts did they know it was bad policy for Missouri."

The redirected sales tax revenue will be earmarked for paying off bonds the State Highways and Transportation Commission is expected to sell in the coming months to fund new road construction. The commission plans to discuss details of its plans on Wednesday.

Commissioner Duane Michie of Hayti said the strong support for Amendment 3 shows voters have more confidence in MoDOT today than they did two years ago in rejecting the proposed tax increase.

"It sends a clear message that people want the roads repaired and want money dedicated for that purpose," Michie said.

mpowers@semissourian.com

(573) 635-4608

BY THE NUMBERS

The percentages by which voters in 18 Southeast Missouri counties on Tuesday ratified Amendment 3, which earmarks a portion of existing state revenue for transportation:

BY THE NUMBERS

The percentages by which voters in 18 Southeast Missouri counties on Tuesday ratified Amendment 3, which earmarks a portion of existing state revenue for transportation:

County Yes vote

Bollinger 79.4

Butler 81.1

Cape Girardeau 80.8

Carter 69.7

Dunklin 80.7

Iron 78.7

Madison 81.2

Mississippi 76.4

New Madrid 78.5

Pemiscot 75

Perry 84.5

Reynolds 78.1

Ripley 78.9

Scott 80.5

St. Francois 81.5

Ste. Genevieve 79.6

Stoddard 77.7

Wayne 81.5

Southeast Missouri 80

Statewide 78.9

Southeast Missourian