HJR 5 -- SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND ELECTIONS

CO-SPONSORS:  Barry, Farnen

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Education-Elementary and Secondary by a vote of 14 to 4.

This proposed constitutional amendment changes the vote required
to approve a school district bond issue from four-sevenths to a
simple majority at general municipal elections and general
elections.

FISCAL NOTE:  Cost to General Revenue Fund of $43,800 in FY 2003.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the current constitutional
requirement for a two-thirds super-majority on bond votes dates
unchanged from the 1875 Constitution until 1988, when the four--
sevenths requirement was added for issues voted upon on
municipal election day and primary and general election days.
Fewer than 10 states have super-majority requirements for school
bonds.  In a recent 5-year period, more than 100 bond issues
have failed with more than a 50% vote.  Super-majorities
contradict the principle of "one person, one vote."

Testifying for the bill were Representative Barry; Missouri
School Board Association; Mehlville School District; Missouri
PTA; Missouri NEA; Missouri State Teachers Association; Missouri
Council of School Administrators; American Institute of
Architects-Missouri; Missouri School Boards Association;
Missouri Federation of Teachers; and Missouri AFL-CIO.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that bonded
indebtedness results in a long-term obligation for taxpayers and
therefore should require a higher standard for passage than a
simple majority.

Testifying against the bill were the Missouri Apartment
Association; and Missouri Farm Bureau.

Becky DeNeve, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:47 am