HCS HJR 71 -- SALES TAX FOR VETERANS' SERVICES

SPONSOR:  Day

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Veterans by a vote of 10 to 0.

Upon voter approval, this proposed constitutional amendment
authorizes a dedicated sales tax of one-eighth of 1% for funding
veterans' homes, services, and programs.  The tax becomes
effective January 1, 2009, and terminates December 31, 2016,
unless reauthorized by the voters.  If reauthorized, the tax will
be reduced to one-tenth of 1%.  The sales tax must be
reauthorized by the voters every 10 years.

The amendment constitutionally establishes the Missouri Veterans'
Commission within the Department of Public Safety consisting of
nine members, five of whom will be veterans appointed by the
Governor.  The other four will be members from the General
Assembly, two from the House of Representatives, appointed by the
Speaker, and two from the Senate, appointed by the President Pro
Tem, each serving a single two-year term.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Effect on General Revenue Fund of a cost
of $0 or $65,250 in FY 2009, an income of $0 or $35,482,463 in
FY 2010, and an income of $0 or $37,256,586 in FY 2011.
Estimated Income on Other State Funds of $0 or $56,432,750 in
FY 2009, $0 or $112,865,500 in FY 2010, and $0 or $112,865,500 in
FY 2011.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that there is a solemn obligation to
meet the needs of our veterans by providing the services they
deserve.  With all the deployments, the high number of seriously
injured veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and an
aging Vietnam Veteran population, the Missouri Veterans'
Commission needs increased funding to provide the necessary
services to these veterans.  A dedicated funding source
established by a sales tax will provide the needed funding
instead of relying on moneys from gaming boat admissions and
general revenue.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Fisher; Rich Heigert,
Missouri Association of Veterans Organizations and American
Legion, Department of Missouri and Vietnam Veterans of America,
Missouri State Council; Dewey Riehn, Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States, Missouri Department; and Military Officers
Association of America, State Council.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:12 pm