Ballot includes proposed amendments and propositions

On the ballot for Mid-Term General Election next Tuesday, Nov. 2, there are three proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot.

Two were proposed by the 95th General Assembly. Amendment No. 1 proposes that the office of County Assessor be an elected position in all counties with a charter form of government, except counties with a population between 600,001 and 699,999.

Amendment No. 2 proposes that the all real property used as a homestead by Missouri citizens who are former prisoners of war and have a total service-connected disability be exempt from property taxes.

Amendment No. 3 was proposed by initiative ballot. This amendment proposes that the state, counties, and other political subdivisions be prevented from imposing any new tax, including a sales tax, on the transfer of homes or other real estate.

There are two statutory propositions, both proposed by initiative petition.

Proposition A proposes to repeal the authority of certain cities to use earnings taxes to fund their budgets; require voters in cities which have an earnings tax to approve continuation of the tax at the next general municipal election and each five years there after; and require any current earnings tax not approved by the voters to be phased out over a period of 10 years; and prohibits any city from adding a new earnings tax to fund their budget.

Proposition B, also by initiative petition, proposes to amend Missouri law by requiring large-scale dog breeding operations to "provide each dog under their care with sufficient food, clean water, housing and space; necessary veterinary care; regular exercise and adequate rest between breeding cycles;" and prohibit any breeder from having more than 50 breeding dogs "for the purpose of selling their puppies as pets" and create a misdemeanor crime of "puppy mill cruelty" for any violations.