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Missouri Proposition D, Gas Tax Increase, Olympic Prize Tax Exemption, and Traffic Reduction Fund Measure (2018)
- General election: Nov. 6
- Voter registration deadline: Oct. 10
- Early voting: N/A
- Absentee voting deadline: Nov. 6
- Online registration: Yes
- Same-day registration: No
- Voter ID: Non-photo ID required
- Poll times: 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
| Missouri Proposition D | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 6, 2018 | |
| Topic Taxes and Transportation | |
Status Defeated | |
| Type State statute | Origin State legislature |
Missouri Proposition D, the Gas Tax Increase, Olympic Prize Tax Exemption, and Traffic Reduction Fund Measure, was on the ballot in Missouri as a legislatively referred state statute on November 6, 2018.[1][2] It was defeated.
A "yes" vote supported this measure to:
|
A "no" vote opposed this measure to:
|
Election results
|
Missouri Proposition D |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 1,109,009 | 46.40% | ||
|
|
1,281,143 | 53.60% | ||
Measure design
Gas tax increase
This measure wold have increased the gas tax by 10 cents per gallon for gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and propane. For gasoline and diesel, the increase would be phased in over four years (2.5 cents per year) according to the following rate schedule:[2]
- 17 cents ($0.17) per gallon through June 30, 2019;
- 19.5 cents ($0.195) per gallon from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020;
- 22 cents ($0.22) per gallon from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021;
- 24.5 cents ($0.245) per gallon from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022;
- 27 cents ($0.27) per gallon after July 1, 2022.
For natural gas (both compressed and liquefied natural gas) and propane used as an alternative motor vehicle fuel, the tax increase to 27 cents per gallon would have taken effect after December 31, 2025. Going in to the election, the law set the tax rates for natural gas and propane used as motor fuel at five cents per gallon through December 2019, 11 cents per gallon through December 2024, and 17 cents per gallon after that.[2]
For compressed natural gas, rates would have been calculated on gasoline gallon equivalents. For liquefied natural gas, rates would have been calculated on diesel gallon equivalents.[2]
Revenue from the gas tax increase would have been dedicated to funding the state highway patrol.[2]
The measure would have also required that, going forward, the tax rate for motor fuels and alternative fuels—such as electricity, hydrogen, propane, compressed natural gas, and liquefied natural gas—be equivalent.[2]
Olympic prize tax exemption
This measure would have exempted any prizes won at Special Olympics, Paralympics, or Olympics from state income taxes.[2]
Freight traffic reduction and road fund
The measure would have created a fund called the Emergency State Freight Bottleneck Fund. The fund was designed to contain money allocated from the state's general fund by the state legislature, and the fund would have been invested and managed by the state treasurer. Money from the fund would have been restricted so that it could be used only on projects that met all of the following conditions:
- the project is a road improvement project with an estimated construction cost of at least $50 million;
- the project is required to alleviate a delay of 20 minutes or more during peak traffic hours that impacts freight and the distribution of goods;
- the project is required to reduce serious motor vehicle crashes causing fatalities or disabilities;
- the project is featured on the 2014 state freight plan; and
- the project is set to receive 35 percent of funds from sources besides the state road fund and general fund revenue.
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title was as follows:[3]
| “ |
Shall Missouri law be amended to fund Missouri state law enforcement by increasing the motor fuel tax by two and one half cents per gallon annually for four years beginning July 1, 2019, exempt Special Olympic, Paralympic, and Olympic prizes from state taxes, and to establish the Emergency State Freight Bottleneck Fund? If passed, this measure will generate at least $288 million annually to the State Road Fund to provide for the funding of Missouri state law enforcement and $123 million annually to local governments for road construction and maintenance.[4] |
” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary was as follows:[3]
| “ |
A “yes” vote will amend Missouri statutes to fund the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s enforcement and administration of motor vehicle laws and traffic regulations. The source of the funding will be revenue from an increased state tax on motor fuel (including gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and blended fuel). The current state motor fuel tax rate is seventeen (17) cents per gallon. The amendment will increase the rate as follows:
The amendment will also increase the tax on alternative fuels used for motor vehicles (including compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas, and propane gas). The amendment will increase the rate from seventeen (17) cents to twenty-seven (27) cents per unit equivalent to a gallon of gasoline or diesel beginning January 1, 2026. The amendment will require the state auditor to audit the state’s use of the revenue generated by these taxes every two years. Additionally, the amendment will allow a state income tax deduction for the value of any prize or award won in the Olympics, Paralympics, or Special Olympics; and it will create an “Emergency State Freight Bottleneck Fund,” which will be dedicated to financing road improvement projects in the state. A “no” vote will not amend Missouri statutes to increase the motor fuel tax, exempt certain prizes from state taxes or establish the Emergency State Freight Bottleneck Fund. If passed, this measure will increase taxes on motor fuel.[4] |
” |
Full text
The full text of the measure is available here.
Readability score
- See also: Ballot measure readability scores, 2018
| Using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) formulas, Ballotpedia scored the readability of the ballot title and summary for this measure. Readability scores are designed to indicate the reading difficulty of text. The Flesch-Kincaid formulas account for the number of words, syllables, and sentences in a text; they do not account for the difficulty of the ideas in the text. The secretary of state wrote the ballot language for this measure.
In 2018, for the 167 statewide measures on the ballot, the average ballot title or question was written at a level appropriate for those with between 19 and 20 years of U.S. formal education (graduate school-level of education), according to the FKGL formula. Read Ballotpedia's entire 2018 ballot language readability report here. |
Support
Safer MO led the campaign in support of Proposition D.[5]
Supporters
Officials
- Gov. Mike Parson (R)[6]
- Rep. Jean Evans (R-99)[1]
- Rep. Greg Razer (D-25)[7]
Arguments
- Rep. Jean Evans (R-99) said, “Send this vote to the people. This is a vote for freedom and for safety.”[7]
- Rep. Kevin Corlew (R-14), after saying that the gas tax rate had been $0.17 since the 1990s, said, "Our grandparents built us a tremendous infrastructure, transportation system here in Missouri … that’s brought us to where we are today. We’ve got a system that can really keep our citizens safe and move our economy — if we choose to maintain it.”[7]
- Rep. Greg Razer (D-25) said, “We have these projects all over Missouri. We need to address it. This is a fantastic opportunity to allow the people of Missouri to make a decision about our roads and bridges.”[7]
Opposition
Arguments
- Sen. Jay Wasson (R-20) said, "I have no problems with increasing the fuel tax for our roads, but this particular way of doing it, I just have some real concerns. Highway Patrol receives money based on how well they’re performing … but in this legislation it appears we wouldn’t have control of Highway Patrol funding.”
- Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-14) said, "I have constituents who just don’t like these kinds of taxes and they’re African-American. Their issue is that the funds that are received from this do not adequately go to the urban core.”[7]
Campaign finance
There was one campaign committee, SaferMO.com, registered in support of Proposition D. The committee raised $5.35 million and spent $5.34 million.[8]
The top contributor to the SaferMO.com PAC was the Eastern Missouri Laborers' District Council, which contributed $1.00 million.[8]
There were no committees registered to oppose the ballot measure.[8]
| Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support | $5,308,496.59 | $36,910.91 | $5,345,407.50 | $5,302,327.35 | $5,339,238.26 |
| Oppose | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Total | $5,308,496.59 | $36,910.91 | $5,345,407.50 | $5,302,327.35 | $5,339,238.26 |
Support
The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in support of the measure.[8]
| Committees in support of Proposition D | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Committee | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures |
| SaferMO.com | $5,308,496.59 | $36,910.91 | $5,345,407.50 | $5,302,327.35 | $5,339,238.26 |
| Total | $5,308,496.59 | $36,910.91 | $5,345,407.50 | $5,302,327.35 | $5,339,238.26 |
Donors
The following were the top donors to the committee.[8]
| Donor | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Missouri Laborers' District Council | $1,000,000.00 | $0.00 | $1,000,000.00 |
| Heavy Constructors Association | $625,000.00 | $0.00 | $625,000.00 |
| Missouri Realtors | $250,000.00 | $0.00 | $250,000.00 |
| Site Advancement Foundation (SAF) | $200,000.00 | $0.00 | $200,000.00 |
| Emery Sapp & Sons Inc. | $150,000.00 | $25,728.00 | $175,728.00 |
Methodology
To read Ballotpedia's methodology for covering ballot measure campaign finance information, click here.
Background
Transportation panel recommendation and the 2018 legislative session
A 23-member panel consisting of public officials, legislators, and representatives of business interests was put into place by the state legislature in 2017 to investigate the state's transportation system and transportation funding. The panel, named the 21st Century Missouri Transportation System Task Force, provided its report to the legislature on January 1, 2018. The report, among other proposals, suggested a 10-cent increase of the gas tax and a 12-cent increase of the diesel tax. The task force concluded that an additional $825 million per year was required for transportation costs in the state.[9]
Fuel tax and transportation funding in Missouri
History of the gas tax rate
The state's first gas tax was enacted through a citizen initiative in 1924 at a rate of two cents per gallon. Since then, the tax rate has been increased five times—twice through voter approval and three times by the legislature. Increases ranged from one cent per gallon to six cents per gallon phased in through two-cent jumps. The largest single jump in the rate was an increase of four cents per gallon. At the ballot, Missouri voters have defeated five proposed gas tax increase measures and approved three, including the original gas tax citizen initiative. Two of the defeated measures were veto referendums put on the ballot through a citizen signature petition drive seeking to overturn gas tax increases approved by the legislature.[10]
Gas tax increases and rejected tax increase measures:
- Going into 2018, the last gas tax increase in Missouri took place in 1996. It was part of an increase of 6 cents per gallon approved by the legislature in 1992 and phased in over five years, increasing the rate from 11 cents per gallon to 13 cents per gallon in 1992, 15 cents per gallon in 1994, and 17 cents per gallon in 1996.
- In 1987, voters approved a four-cent gas tax increase referred to the ballot by the legislature. Five years earlier in 1982, voters had rejected a four-cent gas tax increase proposed by the legislature, voting 64.78 percent to 35.22 percent against the measure.
- In 1972, the legislature voted to increase the state's gas tax from five cents to seven cents per gallon. Six years later, a citizen initiative to increase the tax rate to 10 cents per gallon was defeated.
- In 1961, the legislature approved a temporary increase of the state's gas tax from three cents per gallon to five cents per gallon. The increase was made permanent when voters approved Amendment 1 in 1962, a constitutional amendment referred by the legislature to require the gas tax revenue to be allocated to the state, counties, cities, towns, and villages.[10]
- The gas tax was increased from its original two cents per gallon to three cents per gallon in 1952 by a vote of the legislature. This was two years after voters rejected through a veto referendum measure in 1950 an effort by the legislature to increase the gas tax to four cents per gallon. Two years before that in 1948, voters rejected a proposed constitutional amendment referred by the legislature that would have increased the gas tax by 1.5 cents per gallon, eliminated municipal gas taxes, and provided funding for rural roads. In 1938, also through a veto referendum, voters rejected a bill passed by the legislature to increase the gas tax from two cents per gallon to three cents per gallon. Voters also rejected another citizen-initiated measure to increase the tax to three cents per gallon and fix that rate for a minimum of 10 years.
- The gas tax at the original rate of two cents per gallon was enacted through a citizen initiative in 1924. The initiative provided that the purpose of the gas tax was to fund the completion and maintenance of the state highways system. This was the second citizen initiative to be approved in the state of Missouri.
Transportation funding and revenue allocation
In 2004, voters approved a citizen-initiated constitutional lockbox amendment, Amendment 3, that dedicated all revenues from existing motor vehicle fuel taxes to be used only for state and local highways, roads, and bridges. The measure also required that vehicle taxes and fees paid by highway users be used only for constructing and maintaining the state highway system.
Fuel taxes in the United States
As of 2018, Missouri had the second state gas tax rate in the United States above Alaska. Washington (49.4 centers per gallon), California (54.73 cents per gallon), and Pennsylvania (58.7 cents per gallon) had the hights gas tax rates. The average state gas tax rate as of 2018 was 30.27 cents per gallon and the median was 29.4 cents per gallon.[11]
Path to the ballot
To put a legislatively referred state statute before voters, a simple majority is required in both the Missouri State Senate and the Missouri House of Representatives.
This measure was introduced as House Bill 1460 by Rep. Jean Evans (R-99). When it was first introduced, it only included provisions regarding the exemption for Olympic prizes. It passed the House on February 15, 2018. In the Senate, a substitute was approved including the provisions regarding the gas tax increase and the traffic reduction fund and adding the provision referring the measure to the ballot. This amended version was approved in the Senate on May 17, 2018, in a vote of 24 to eight, with one absent. In the Senate, six of 24 Republicans and two of nine Democrats voted against the bill; one Democrat was absent. The House approved the measure on May 18, 2018, in a vote of 88 to 60 with 13 absent or not voting. In the House, 34 Democrats voted in favor, seven voted against, and six were absent; Republicans were pretty evenly split, with 54 voting in favor, 53 voting against, and seven absent or not voting. As a referral to voters, HB 1460 did not require the signature of the governor.[1]
There were two vacancies in the state House and one vacancy in the state Senate when this measure was approved.[1]
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Moon v. Ashcroft
| Lawsuit overview | |
| Issue: Single subject; Does Proposition D encompass a single subject or multiple subjects? | |
| Court: Missouri 19th Judicial Circuit Court | |
| Ruling: Ruled in favor of defendants, keeping Proposition D on the ballot | |
| Plaintiff(s): Rep. Mike Moon and Ron Calzone | Defendant(s): Secretary of State John Ashcroft |
| Plaintiff argument: Proposition D violated the state's single-subject rule. | Defendant argument: Proposition D did not violate the state's single-subject rule. |
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
State Rep. Mike Moon and Ron Calzone filed litigation in the Missouri 19th Judicial Circuit Court on July 2, 2018, stating that Proposition D violated the state's single-subject rule. Secretary of State John Ashcroft was named as the defendant.[12] Calzone said, "The people also have a right to make a decision on a single-subject question. That's not what this does."[13]
Chuck Hatfield, a lawyer for the campaign SaferMO, said the single-subject rule applied to ballot initiatives, not measures the legislature referred. He said, "When the General Assembly says, 'We want the people to vote on this,' that's a special part of our Constitution. The Legislature has the right to send things to the people, however they want to do that."[13]
Judge Robert D. Schollmeyer ruled in favor of the defendants, ordering that Proposition D remain on the ballot. He stated, "(T)he provisions undoubtedly have a natural connection to regulating Missouri’s state revenue stream."[14]
How to cast a vote
- See also: Voting in Missouri
Poll times
In Missouri, all polling places are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[15]
Registration requirements
- Check your voter registration status here.
To vote in Missouri, one must be 18 years old, a United States citizen, and Missouri resident.[16] An applicant may print an application, pick one up from a county clerk's office, or request that an application be mailed. The completed application must be returned by mail. All returned applications must be postmarked at least 27 days prior to Election Day in order to be processed. An applicant may also register to vote online.[16]
Automatic registration
Missouri does not practice automatic voter registration.[17]
Online registration
- See also: Online voter registration
Missouri has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.[17]
Same-day registration
Missouri does not allow same-day voter registration.[17]
Residency requirements
To register to vote in Missouri, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify the length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible. Voters may file change-of-address forms after the registration deadline, up to and including Election Day, provided that they can present photo identification upon doing so.[18][19]
Verification of citizenship
Missouri does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.[16]
All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[20] Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.
Verifying your registration
The Missouri Secretary of State's office allows residents to check their voter registration status online.
Voter ID requirements
Missouri requires voters to present photo identification while voting.[21][22]
The following were accepted forms of identification as of April 2023. Click here for the Missouri Secretary of State's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.
Voters can present the following forms of information:
- A nonexpired Missouri driver or non-driver license;
- A nonexpired military ID, including a veteran’s ID card;
- A nonexpired United States passport; or
- Another photo ID issued by the United States or the state of Missouri which is either not expired or expired after the date of the most recent general election.
If a voter does not have an ID, he or she can obtain one for free by filling out this form.
State profile
| Demographic data for Missouri | ||
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 6,076,204 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 68,742 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 82.6% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 11.5% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 1.8% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.4% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.4% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 3.9% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 88.4% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 27.1% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $48,173 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 18.2% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Missouri. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Missouri
Missouri voted Republican in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
More Missouri coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Missouri
- United States congressional delegations from Missouri
- Public policy in Missouri
- Endorsers in Missouri
- Missouri fact checks
- More...
See also
External links
Information
Support
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Missouri State Legislature, "House Bill 1460," accessed May 18, 2018
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Missouri State Legislature, "House Bill 1460," accessed May 18, 2018
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Missouri Secretary of State, "2018 Ballot Measures," accessed October 8, 2018
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Safer MO, "Homepage," accessed October 11, 2018
- ↑ Daily Journal, "Missouri Gov. Parson to campaign for proposed gas tax hike," October 12, 2018
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Kansas City Star, "Missouri voters will decide on 10-cent increase in gas tax," May 18, 2018
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Missouri Ethics Commission, "Candidate or Committee Name Search," accessed October 11, 2018
- ↑ St. Louis Post Dispatch, "Gas tax increase may land on Missouri ballot after task force report," January 2, 2018
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Missouri Department of Transportation, "History of Funding," accessed May 21, 2018
- ↑ American Petroleum Institute, "State Motor Fuel Taxes," April 1, 2018
- ↑ Transport Topics, "Missouri Lawsuit Aims to Remove Gas Tax Hike From Ballot," July 3, 2018
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 News Tribune, "Judge considers gas tax lawsuit issues," August 8, 2018
- ↑ St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Judge says Missouri gas tax question can stay on ballot," August 14, 2018
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State - Elections and Voting, "Frequently Asked Questions," accessed April 4, 2023
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Missouri Secretary of State, "Register to Vote," accessed April 4, 2023
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 NCSL, "State Profiles: Elections," accessed August 27, 2024
- ↑ BillTrack50, "MO HB1878," accessed April 4, 2023
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "FAQs Voter Registration," accessed August 27, 2024
- ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "How To Vote," accessed August 27, 2024
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "Do I need an ID to vote?" accessed April 3, 2023
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