State Law

The employees' paychecks petition calls for Missouri employers to receive written permission every year from employees prior to deducting money from any paycheck on behalf of an entity to support or oppose initiatives, referenda, other public policy issues, candidates or political parties.

It is estimated this proposal will cost state government $69,428 per year and have no costs or savings to local governmental entities.

The Missouri's Children's Health Insurance Program petition calls for restored access to Missouri's children's health insurance program by reinstating eligibility standards to those in effect on Jan. 1, 2005. It would create the "Cover all Kids Fund" to be used exclusively to pay for the health insurance of eligible children by implementing certain corporate tax changes and allow Missouri families whose income exceeds the eligibility criteria to purchase insurance for their children through the Missouri's children's health insurance program.

It is estimated state government will receive $123.2 million annually for the program. The estimated cost to state government is $19.6 million annually and the proposal will have no costs or savings to local governmental entities.

The petitions must be signed by May 4 by registered voters equal to 5 percent of the total votes cast in the 2004 governor's election from six of the state's nine congressional districts. Depending on the combination of districts, the number of signatures required ranges between approximately 86,000 and 95,000 valid signatures for each petition.

Full post as published by Showmeblawgs on March 13, 2008 (boomark / email).