In Missouri the battle over the November ballot initiative, Proposition A,<\/a> is hot. There is a lot of confusion over what Prop A is and, if passed, what this will mean for Missourians. With talk centered around the struggling economy and the Bush tax cuts in particular, this local issue could set a standard for other cities and states in the way Arizona\u2019s SB 1070 did for states regarding immigration policy.<\/p>\n

The Missouri Tax Initiative, or Prop A, would allow Missourians to decide the fate of St. Louis and Kansas City earning taxes and<\/strong> prohibit any new earning taxes throughout Missouri. If passed, Prop A would not immediately repeal the earnings tax. Instead, it would force St. Louis and Kansas City residents to vote every 5 years whether to keep their earnings tax or phase it out. If Prop A passes, the first such vote will be in April of 2011. Of course, if the earnings tax is then voted down, there will be no subsequent votes.<\/p>\n

On the face of it, allowing voters a choice sounds like a great idea, and that is exactly what proponents of the measure are emphasizing in their final push before the November elections. However, a yes vote on Prop A is also a prohibition on any new earnings taxes throughout Missouri, even if voters later decide it is in their best interests.<\/p>\n

What is the earnings tax (or e-tax) used for and, if Missouri voters choose to phase it out, how will we replace the lost revenue?<\/p>\n

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