VOTE NO on Amendments 4 & 5

On August 4, 2026, Missourians will be asked to vote on measures that the Missouri’s legislature put on the ballot. The Missouri Retirement Teacher Association (MRTA), an advocate for public schools and a sound retirement system for public school teachers is telling their members to VOTE NO on amendments 4 and 5.

 

MRTA has informed their members that: Amendment 4 changes the requirements for citizen-led constitutional amendments by requiring support across all congressional districts instead of a simple statewide majority vote. This amendment will make the initiative petition process more difficult by allowing a smaller portion to the state to block measures that may revise a majority support statewide. I would like to add to MRTA’s points that this would NOT apply to constitutional amendments placed on the ballot by the state legislature in the future if this passes. Legislative ballot measures would remain at the 51% threshold.

 

MRTA has also informed members that: Amendment 5 expands lawmakers' ability to increase sales and use tax without direct voter approval on these changes. This is as part of a broader effort to eliminate state income tax. This could shift more of a tax burden onto consumers, including our retirees and working families, by paving the way for a tax on services and everyday expenses that have not been taxed, such as rent, daycare, health, gas and other household necessities. MRTA is especially concerned about amendment 5 since income tax revenue is the largest and stable source of Missouri General Revenue. 

 

According to the Missouri Budget Project, “Missouri’s general state sales tax rate would need to increase from 3% to 10.7% to fully replace income tax revenue.” Sales taxes are regressive taxes because they take a larger percent of income from fixed-and low-income earners. If amendment 5 passes, public schools could face an 18% cut in their budgets from state funds. For the Show-Me Missourians out there, go to mobudget.org and see Missouri Income Tax Scheme pages for yourself. To find out how much your public school district could lose teachers or support staff see the mobudget.org article about the 18%. Join me and other Missouri teacher retirees and vote NO on Amendments 4 and 5 on August 4, 2026. 

 

Mary Ann Mutrux,

Willow Springs, Mo.