INSTEAD OF SPENDING TOBACCO MONEY, LET TAXPAYERS VOTE ON RETURNING IT AS HANCOCK REFUND

With a scant six weeks to go in this year's legislative session, Missouri lawmakers are deliberating over how to divvy up the state's share of proceeds from the settlement of the tobacco litigation that will be flowing in over 25 years. Lawmakers are considering a spending plan contained in a proposed constitutional amendment to be put before voters in either August or November. Versions are floating about to spend the loot on health care and research, smoking prevention and child care programs favored by the governor.

Every taxpayer must understand that unless a second question is included the opportunity exists, through this proposal, to effectively repeal the Hancock Amendment. This is the tax limitation amendment voters approved in 1980, which operates as a brake on the growth of state government and is responsible for the refunds you have received in recent years. Any proposal must include a second question asking whether voters want tobacco funds included in total state revenue. Without this, voters will, perhaps unwittingly, be endorsing repeal of Hancock.