Kansas City citizens have an opportunity to cast their votes on Tuesday, November 7, 2006, in a general election that will determine important changes for the future of our community. The following ballot measures have been certified and can be found at www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2006ballot/

Constitutional Amendment 2 states, "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to allow and set limitations on stem cell research, therapies, and cures which will: ensure Missouri patients have access to any therapies and cures, and allow Missouri researchers to conduct any research, permitted under federal law; ban human cloning or attempted cloning; require expert medical and public oversight and annual reports on the nature and the purpose of stem cell research; impose criminal and civil penalties for any violations and prohibit state or local governments from preventing or discouraging lawful stem cell research, therapies and cures." The proposed constitutional amendment would have an estimated annual fiscal impact on state and local government of $0-$68,916.00.

Claire McCaskill

Constitutional Amendment 3 states, "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to create a Healthy Future Trust Fund which will: be used to produce and prevent tobacco use, to increase funding for health care access treatment for eligible low-income individuals and Medicaid recipients, and to cover administrative costs; be funded by tax of four cents per cigarette and twenty percent on other tobacco products; and be kept separate from general revenue and annually audited." Additional tax generates an estimated $351-$499 million annually.

Constitutional Amendment 6 states, "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to include a tax exemption for real and personal property tax that is used or held exclusively for nonprofit purposes or activities of veterans' organizations?" It is estimated this proposal will have a minimal cost to state government. The estimated cost to local government entities range from $0 to approximately $45,000.00.

Constitutional Amendment 7 states, "Shall Article XIII, Section 3 of the constitution be amended to require that legislators, statewide elected officials, and judges forfeit state pensions upon felony conviction, removal from office following impeachment or for misconduct, and to require that compensation for such persons be set by a citizens' compensation subject to voter referendum?" It is estimated that this proposal will have no costs to state or local governments.

Proposition B asks, "Shall Missouri Statutes be amended to increase the state minimum wage rate to $6.50 per hour, or to the level of the federal minimum wage that is higher, and thereafter adjust the state minimum wage annually based on changes in the consumer price index?" The proposed revisions to Missouri's wage rate laws generates an estimated $3.3 million to $4.3 million annually in state revenue.

Question 1 (Fire Inspections) proposes to increase fees charged for Fire Code inspections and allow the Fire Department to use the revenue derived from such fees in the general operation of the Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division.

Rep. Cleaver

Question 2 (Initiative Petition Transportation) proposes to provide a pioneering urban rail passenger system, constituting the foundation of a future regional transit system, offering not only increased energy-efficiency, comfort, mobility, transportation savings, and convenience, but also a safer environment, a stronger economy, and a reduction of dependence of imported oil. Shall the City of Kansas City, Missouri extend the current (3/8) cent transportation tax, due to expire on March 31, 2009, for twenty-five years, ending March 31, 2034, with said tax to be used solely to fund the construction, operation, maintenance, and beautification of the following transportation improvements under the auspices of the Kansas City, Missouri City Council?

Candidates for U.S. Senator are Claire McCaskill (DEM) http://www.claireonline.com/, Jim Talent (REP) http://www.talentforsenate.com/, Frank Gilmour (LIB) http://gilmour2006.lpmo.org/, and Lydia Lewis (PRG) http://www.ppmo.org/lydialewis2006.html.

Candidates for State Auditor are Susan Montee (DEM), Sandra Thomas (REP), Charles W. Baum (LIB), and Terry Bunker (PRG).

Candidates for U.S. Representative in our district (5th) are Emanuel Cleaver II (DEM), Jacob Turk (REP), and Randall David Langkraehr (LIB).

Candidates for State Representative in our district (5th) are Mike Waltemath (DEM), and Jim Guest (REP).

Candidate for Circuit Judge - Circuit 11, is Jon A. Cunningham (REP). Circuit 23 is Lisa Page (DEM). Circuit 31, Calvin R. Holden (DEM), and Bob Jr. Lawson (REP).

Candidates for Nonpartisan Judges – Missouri Supreme Court are William Ray Price, Mary Rhodes Russell, and Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr.

Copyright 2006 Metropolitan Community College