<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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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>Here are some things to keep in mind that may help to put things into perspective:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In 2023, the appropriated revenue for the blind pension fund was 37,262,368. The expenditure in 2023 was 33,063,106. The appropriated revenue for the fund in 2024 is 38,920,000<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Also there is this:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The only property tax collected by the state is the blind pension fund . The tax collected for the fund is 3¢ on each $100 of taxable valuation of taxable property in the state of Missouri. Everything else is collected by the counties and state commission.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The 2024 fiscal year budget can be found here:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY_24_Executive_Budget.pdf">https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY_24_Executive_Budget.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> NFBMO <nfbmo-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Gary Wunder via NFBMO<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, June 28, 2024 5:41 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Missouri Mailing List' <a href="mailto:nfbmo@nfbnet.org">nfbmo@nfbnet.org</a>. For 2024, the revenue appropriated for the BP fund is 38,920,000.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/Fiscal_Year_2023_Executive_Budget%20.pdf<br><b>Cc:</b> Gary Wunder <gwunder@earthlink.net><br><b>Subject:</b> [NFBMO] Possible changes in Blind Pension Fund<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><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>