1:15 a.m. Proposition B fails
With 100 percent of precincts finally reporting, Proposition B has failed.
The measure would have imposed a significant increase in the state's cigarette tax, from 17 cents to 90 cents per pack. The measure was part of a plan to raise an estimated $283 million, which would have been used for schools and programs aimed at helping people stop smoking.
The measure found its way onto the ballot through a petition drive backed largely by the American Cancer Society.
It would have put Missouri in the middle of the nation in terms of taxes, giving it the 33rd-highest rate.
The opposition was led by cigarette makers and retailers, who argued that a higher tax would take away Missouri's advantage in luring customers from across state lines. They also pointed out that there is no way to guarantee the new tax would have actually boosted spending on education, since legislators would have been free to pull existing education funding and use it for other things.
People are also reading…
The issue was expected to be decided in the state' larger metro areas, including St. Louis, Columbia, Kansas City and Springfield.
"Our goal is just to not lose too badly in those areas,"said Ron Leone, a spokesman for the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, which opposed the tax increase. "You can pretty much count on carrying the rest of the state."
11:10 p.m. update: Three of the state's four ballot issues have been decided
A constitutional amendment to change the way judicial appointments are handled has lost. Two other state issues —one dealing with local control of the St. Louis Police Department and another with the Affordable Care Act—have passed.
A third measure that would hike the state's cigarette tax remains in a tight race.
The issues:
PROPOSITION B
The measure would impose a significant increase in the state's cigarette tax, from 17 cents to 90 cents per pack. The measure is part of a plan to raise an estimated $283 million, which would be used for schools and programs aimed at helping people stop smoking.
The measure found its way onto the ballot through a petition drive backed largely by the American Cancer Society.
It would put Missouri in the middle of the nation in terms of taxes, giving it the 33rd-highest rate.
The opposition has been led by cigarette makers and retailers, who have argued that a higher tax would take away Missouri's advantage in luring customers from across state lines. They also point out that there is no way to guarantee the new tax would actually boost spending on education, since legislators would be free to pull existing education funding and use it for other things.
Thus far, the measure is losing, with 52 percent of voters opposed.
The issue is expected to be decided in the state' larger metro areas, including St. Louis, Columbia, Kansas City and Springfield.
"Our goal is just to not lose too badly in those areas,"said Ron Leone, a spokesman for the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, which opposes the tax increase. "You can pretty much count on carrying the rest of the state."
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 3
The amendment seeks to expand the governor's power in the selection of future state Supreme Court and appellate court judges
As expected - based on polling - the amendment has failed to gain enough support and is losing handily, with three out of four voting against it.
Opposition group Missourians for Fair and Impartial Courts Committee hailed its victory Tuesday evening in a statement.
“Missourians saw right through this cynical attempt by politicians and special interests to give themselves more power in selecting our judges and injecting partisan politics into our courtrooms," said Skip Walther, MFICC Treasurer and former Missouri Bar President.
PROPOSITION E
This would prohibit the governor, without legislative approval, from setting up one of the insurance exchanges envisioned by the new health care law. Federal law says the exchanges, which are designed to allow consumers to shop between health care plans, must be set up by the states, or else the federal government will do it.
The measure was put on the ballot by the Republican-led legislature.
Nearly 62 percent of voters approved it.
PROPOSITION A
This one will allow the city of St. Louis to take over control of its police department, which is currently run by a state board. Among the biggest supporters is Mayor Francis Slay, who has made the move one of his top priorities.
The effort has been backed by philanthropist Rex Sinquefield, who led a $2 million statewide petition campaign that attracted the support of more than 400 elected officials.
Opponents include civil rights activists who say it would not provide civilian review of police misconduct. The measure has received both support and opposition from police officers. Some see it as an inevitable move. Others say they worry about losing a safeguard that protects officers from political influence.
Only two cities in the country — St. Louis and Kansas City — still lack control of their own police force. Prop A would affect only St. Louis. Kansas City Mayor Sly James said his city wasn’t yet ready to be included.
With the measure passing, the governor-appointed commissioners who now run the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will step down. And the police will become a division of the city’s Department of Public Safety, under mayoral control.
Jeff Rainford, chief of staff to St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay called the victory "historic."
“It’s a huge achievement for Mayor Slay, and it’s a huge achievement for the city,” Rainford said.