Voters Reject New Earnings Taxes; Barely Approve ‘Puppy Mill’ Law

Voters thumbed their noses at new taxes Tuesday.

Puppies, however, received the voters' love...but just barely.

Missourians overwhelmingly approved Proposition A, a statewide measure that prohibits Missouri cities from enacting an earnings tax. Prop A received 69.1 percent of yes votes to 30.9 percent opposed with 97 percent of the vote reported.

The measure requires St. Louis and Kansas City to bring their existing city earnings taxes to the ballot next April. Even if St. Louisans approve the earnings tax in April, it would have to be re-approved every five years. The two cities stand to lose $141.2 million and $199.2 million respectively if they fail to convince voters to retain the 1 percent tax.

The biggest approval margin of election night came on Constitutional Amendment 3, a measure that prohibits the state, counties and cities from imposing any new taxes, including sales taxes, on transfers of homes or real estate. The vote was 84 percent in favor of the ban to 16 percent against.

Proposition B, calling for stricter regulation of large-scale dog breeding facilities, squeaked through with a slim victory. The so-called "puppy mill" cruelty initiative was approved by 51 percent to 49 percent. 

Barbara Schmitz, the measure's campaign manager and the state director for the Humane Society of the United States, says "it has been an 18-year battle to save these in danger animals that has been blocked by both government and industry."  Schmitz added, "The only way to change things was going to be a ballot measure."

The measure was behind most of the evening until the counties around St. Louis, St. Charles and Kansas City reported.  The vote went for the measure with around 95 percent of the precincts reporting. 

Two other  constitutional amendments on the statewide ballot cruised to success.

Amendment 1, which calls for the position of county assessor to become an elected position, received 74.3 percent in favor to 25.7 percent opposed.

Prisoners of war were at the heart of Amendment 2, which was approved 65.8 percent to 34.2 percent. Former POWs with a total service-connected disability will be exempt from paying property taxes.