October 2008

Missouri Libertarian Party weighs in on 2008 Ballot Initiatives

The Missouri Libertarian Party has reviewed the Constitutional Amendments and Ballot Propositions. The Missouri Libertarian Party encourages Missourians to vote as follows:

YES Constitutional Amendment 4: Stormwater project financing

We recognize the importance of correcting legislations or amendments that have allowed for potential undesired results at tax payers expense. Amendment 4 corrects faults in Missouri's Constitution with regards to storm water control project financing. This amendment will prevent the repayment of funds from being used for anything other than more storm water control projects. Thus, what loans are repaid will in return be available for future financing and allow for reduced cost to tax payers of these projects.

NO Proposition A: Casino Gambling Loss Limits

Deceptively named "the Schools First Initiative," Proposition A would extend the use of governmental force and prohibit new casinos from being built without a public vote. In this regard, Proposition A would help push consumers in the gaming markets more directly to the casinos who are supporting this ballot initiative.

While the Missouri LP agrees that gamblers ought to be free to wager as much or as little as they choose, it objects to further restriction in an industry that is already desperate for the competition a free market provides. Missouri's regulatory scheme for the gaming industry has severely restricted the consumer's freedom of choice and should be abolished in its entirety.

NO Proposition B: Elderly Home Health Care

This proposition would create a new state bureaucracy which would then create new regulations regarding home health care for the elderly which in the end would restrict choices and raise costs. At a time when large numbers of baby boomers are reaching retirement age this proposition does not make economic sense.

NO Proposition C: Renewable Energy

A true free market provides the optimal mix of solutions to provide goods and services. The free market provides the consumer with a range of choices based on price, quality and in the case of energy; the option to choose green or renewable sources. There are several problems with the initiative:

1. Government and cooperative owned utilities are exempted.
2. Investor owned utilities are only allowed to raise their retail price by 1% while having to purchase more costly renewable energy.
3. The free market provides the best and most cost effective solutions; not direct democracy by ballot initiative.

Constitutional Amendment 1: English only government meetings

The Missouri Libertarian Party did not take a position on this constitutional amendment. Most felt that this had not been a problem, so no action was needed.