LETTERS: AMENDMENT 7: PRO AND CON; CON: VOTERS NEED TO REALIZE THE ECONOMIC IMPACT

To the editor:

I urge my fellow Missourians to look closely at some of the industries that oppose the passage of Amendment 7. They are Associated General Contractors of America, Heavy Constructors Association of Greater Kansas City, Missouri Association of School Administrators, Missouri Industrial Development Council, Missouri Parent Teacher Association, Missouri Travel Council, Missouri Transportation and Development Council and the list goes on and on.

It is important that voters realize the real economic impact that Amendment 7 will have upon all citizens of Missouri whether they be high income or low income. It is important that Missouri's citizens know facts versus the hype being given to voting down operational taxes and obtaining refunds. Those types of "free lunches" don't exist with the passage of Amendment 7. Missourians that have vision and industrially progressive attitudes will vote no against Amendment 7. A no vote against Amendment 7 will send a strong message to legislators that the better majority of Missourians understand the relationship between a well funded state government able to provide services and a productive private industry base that is able to provide jobs, opportunities, and futures.

The crux of Amendment 7 lies within Sections 18 and 25. Bottom line is that Section 18 changes the entire way Missouri is going to fund its operating budget. Section 25 claims that Amendment 7 supersedes all other provisions of the Missouri Constitution. This is serious business folks. Amendment 7 is an attempt to tie the hands of the taxpayers to provide vital services needed by the state to sustain itself and allow growth.

Amendment 7 is trying to reduce a budget that has already been balanced time and time again. At what point of the reduction frenzy will the proponent of Amendment 7 be satisfied? Missouri is ranked 49th in taxation and ranked 49th in services provided to the citizens. With that type of ratio, we are getting what we are actually paying for.

Those services that link Missouri to the rest of the nation are our highway systems and our educational systems. Amendment 7 jeopardizes our state's ability to compete for major industry development and it places yet more countless limitations on our elementary, secondary, and higher educational systems.

Missouri's industries must have a well-educated work force. How can the educational institutions meet this demand when Amendment 7 proposes to slash that budget by some $300 million? A cut of that magnitude will cause our elementary children to suffer, secondary education will be unable to provide quality technical and college preparatory curriculum, and colleges will be unable to provide the financial assistance of scholarships. These are just some of the ramifications of Amendment 7 on education that will affect the quality of the work force that our state provides for itself. Without properly funded education, Missouri will not be able to make the grade with potential industries looking to settle or expand in Missouri.

Missouri's industries must have reliable, accessible, and maintained roads and bridges. Amendment 7 carelessly threatens years of improvement projects. When you cut almost $135 million out of the department of transportation's budget, you are going to be cutting more than just a few crew persons jobs off the state payroll. Amendment 7 would be putting a halt to projects that could net Missourians more in salaries than any insignificant refund. Folks, have you ever sent in for a refund for a product before? Many times, when that refund comes trickling in, it seems rather pointless; when what you could have really used was a steady paycheck and a job with a future.

Wake up, Missouri. We are the Show Me State. Make Amendment 7 supporters show us the benefits of a lack of services to the citizens. Make supporters show us the benefit of a lack of funding for roads and bridges. Make supporters show us how Amendment 7 will entice more industry into our state.

Amendment 7 is for the self-centered that are unwilling to realize the over-all ramifications of such and all encompassing criminal action against the Missouri Constitution. Vote no against Amendment 7 and allow Missouri's future to continue to provide families with opportunities for a lifetime of growth.

KELLE LANE

Jackson