JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Democratic Party (MDP) State Committee released its positions on four State Constitutional Amendments and the calling for a State Constitutional Convention on the November 8, ballot. The State Committee debated and voted on each item during the September 10, 2022, State Committee Meeting.
The recommendations of the State Committee, and explanations for those recommendations can be found below:
Amendment 1: (Official Ballot Language) To amend the Missouri Constitution to grant the General Assembly statutory authority to invest state funds and also expand treasurer’s investment options. The State Committee’s Recommendation is to: VOTE NO
○ Explanation of recommendation: Passage of Amendment 1 would remove legislative oversight and give more power to the office of the State Treasurer. Additionally, estimated savings are not significant enough to change the lives of Missourians to justify amending the constitution.
Amendment 3: (Official Ballot Language) A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to remove state prohibitions on the purchase, possession, consumption, use, delivery, manufacture, and sale of marijuana for personal use for adults over the age of twenty-one. The amendment would also allow individuals with certain marijuana-related offenses to petition for release from prison or parole and probation and have their records expunged; along with imposing a six percent tax on the retail price of recreational marijuana. A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution and the sale and use of marijuana for recreational purposes will remain prohibited under current law. Medical marijuana would remain unchanged. The State Committee’s Recommendation is to: The Missouri Democratic Party supports the legalization of marijuana, but does not have an official position on Amendment 3.
○ Explanation of recommendation: Democrats support legalization of recreational marijuana use. However, as written Amendment 3 may negatively impact minorities, people of color, and low-income earning Missourians. Democrats have concerns about the expungement provisions laid out in the amendment, as well as making it difficult for those who do not currently have a license to enter the industry.
Amendment 4: (Official Ballot Language) A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to allow the general assembly by law to increase the minimum funding for a police force established by the state board of police commissioners to ensure such police force has additional resources to serve its communities. Currently the only police force established by the state board of police commissioners is found in Kansas City, Missouri. A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding the funding for a police force established by the state board of police commissioners. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes. The State Committee’s Recommendation is to: VOTE NO
○ Explanation of recommendation: Amendment 4 is another example of Republican overreach and highlights their hypocrisy when it comes to local control. Local communities should be able to determine how their own budgets are allocated and not have MAGA Republicans who have shown disregard for law enforcement determining how to allocate their budgets.
Amendment 5: (Official Ballot Language) A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to create the Missouri Department of the National Guard as a new state agency, headed by an adjutant general appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate. A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding the National Guard. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes. The State Committee’s Recommendation is to: VOTE NO
○ Explanation of recommendation: Voting yes for Amendment 5 would create a chain-of-command issue throughout the Missouri National Guard. Republicans claim to be the party of small government, but voting yes for Amendment 5 would come with a cost. That’s why the fiscal note for this amendment has not been released to the public.
Constitutional Convention Question (Official Ballot Language) A “yes” vote will require the governor to call an election of delegates to serve at a convention for the purpose of revising or amending the Missouri Constitution. Any revisions or amendments will then be put to a vote of the people for their consideration. The State Committee’s Recommendation is to: VOTE NO
○ Explanation of recommendation: Passing this Constitutional Question would allow extreme MAGA Republicans unfettered control to amend the Missouri Constitution to push their extreme agenda without input from Missourians. We’ve already seen hypocrisy of Missouri’s anti-choice abortion ban when the GOP-controlled legislature signed off on measures that made life worse for children and survivors of rape in our state.
○ Democrats remain committed to fighting rising inflation with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which will combat the existential threat of climate change and build a clean energy future that creates jobs, advances environmental justice, and lowers costs for families. The call for a Constitutional Convention would threaten the progress made on this front. ○ Democrats continue to push for safer schools, and have asked for Bipartisan support to adequately fund school resource officers (SRO) in every school district. Teachers should educate our children, and law enforcement should protect our schools.