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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>I learned yesterday of something that will appear on the August 6 ballot to amend the constitution. At the direction of President Wright, I’ve done some investigating and still have more questions than answers, but here’s what the Secretary of State’s Office says:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to allow places where individuals, corporations, organizations, and associations provide childcare outside of the child’s home to be exempt from property tax? This is intended to make childcare more available, which would support the well-being of children, families, the workforce, and society as a whole.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>State governmental entities estimate the state’s Blind Pension Fund could have annual lost revenue of up to $400,000. Local governments expect an unknown fiscal impact.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Fair Ballot Language: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A "yes" vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to grant the General Assembly statutory authority to exempt all property, real and personal, used primarily for the care of a child outside of his or her home by general law. An assessing authority may be authorized by general law to exempt from the assessment, levy, and collection of taxes such portion of the property of such individual, corporation, organization, or association that is used primarily for such childcare. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A "no" vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution and childcare facilities will continue to be assessed, levied, and pay taxes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In checking with state officials who usually know about such things, I find them surprised and two promising to get back with me to provide more information.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Obvious questions: Will this alter current benefits? What will it do to future increases? To what extent should we be involved whenever discussions about property taxes are considered by the legislature? If this is a severe threat, what should we do between now and August 6?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Gary Wunder<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:gwunder@earthlink.net">gwunder@earthlink.net</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>