Today's Feature

A Few Ballot Items.

The following proposed amendments to the Missouri Constitution and additions to Missouri law were received from the Jasper County Clerk, and will be on the ballot in the general election to be held November 4, 2008.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NO. 1

Proposed by the 94th General Assembly (First Regular Session) HJR 7

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to add a statement that English shall be the language of all governmental meetings at which any public business is discussed, decided, or public policy is formulated whether conducted in person or by communication equipment including conference calls, video conferences, or internet chat or message board?

It is estimated this proposal will have no costs or saving to state or local governmental entities.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NO. 4

Proposed by the 94th General Assembly (Second Regular Session) SJR 45

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to change provisions relating to the financing of stormwater control projects by:

• limiting availability of grants and loans to public water and sewer districts only

• removing the cap on available funding and existing restrictions on disbursements;

• requiring loan repayments to be used only for stormwater control projects?

It is estimated the cost to state governmental entities is $0 to $236,000 annually. It is estimated state governmental entities will save approximately $7,500 for each bond issuance. It is estimated local governmental entities participating in this program may experience savings, however this amount is unknown.

STATUTORY MEASURE

PROPOSITION A

Proposed by Initiative Petition

Shall Missouri law be amended to:

•repeal the current individual maximum loss limit for gambling;

• prohibit any future loss limits;

• require identification to enter the gambling area only if necessary to establish that an individual is 21 years old;

• restrict the number of casinos to those already built or being built;

• increase the casino gambling tax from 20% to 21%

• create a new specific education fund from gambling tax proceeds generated as a result of this measure called the "Schools First Elementary and Secondary Education Improvement Fund"; and

• require annual audits of this new fund?

State governmental entities will receive an estimated $105.1 to $130.0 million annually for higher education, early childhood development, veterans, and other programs. Local governmental entities receiving gambling boat tax and fee revenues will receive an estimated $18.1 to $19.0 million annually.

STATUTORY MEASURE

PROPOSITION B

Proposed by Initiative Petition

Shall Missouri law be amended to enable the elderly and Missourians with disabilities to continue living independently in their homes by creating the Missouri Quality Homecare Council to ensure the availability of quality home care services under the Medicaid program by recruiting training, and stabilizing the home care workforce?

The exact cost of this proposal to state governmental entities is unknown, but is estimated to exceed $510,560 annually. Additional costs for training are possible. Matching federal funds, if available, could reduce state costs. It is estimated there would be no costs or savings to local governmental entities.

STATUTORY MEASURE

PROPOSITION C

Proposed by Initiative Petition

Shall Missouri law be amended to require investor-owned electric utilities to generate or purchase electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass and hydropower with the renewable energy sources equaling at least %2 of retail sales by 2011 increasing incrementally to at least 15% by 2021, including at least 2% from solar energy; and restricting to no more than 1% any rate increase to consumers for the renewable energy?

The estimated direct cost to state governmental entities is $395,183. It is estimated there are no direct costs or savings to local governmental entities. However, indirect costs may be incurred by state and local governmental entities if the proposal results in increased electricity retail rates.

Mornin'
I suppose it’s only natural that the one that calls "let’s go the best two outa three" is the loser in a coin toss. The winner has nothin’ to gain whatsoever. Odds are the loser is just prolongin’ his agony.

‘Course typically little is ever really gained by a coin toss anyway. Few seem to be willin’ to decide any major decision by the toss of chance. Typically the type of wager that is place would decide who takes a bath first, or who has to take out the trash.

The old trick of "heads I win, tails you lose" only works a time or two even on grand kids.

As a kid I practiced for hours tryin’ to consistently control the outcome of a coin toss. The best I could do was about fifty percent of the time.

Not bad when you consider the odds.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Here's A Tip
By JoAnn Derson

• Recipe Substitutions: If you need 1 cup of brown sugar, use 1 cup of white sugar plus 2 tablespoons of molasses.

• "When my mom puts dinner rolls in a basket to serve at the table, she lines the basket with aluminum foil first, then puts the towel or napkin, then the rolls. It keeps the rolls warmer longer." -- E.D. in Ohio

• "If you have precious baby bonnets that need washing, after washing blow up a small-size balloon enough to fit inside the bonnet, place the bonnet over the balloon and let it air dry. It will keep its shape best, and it’s so much better than hanging on a hook or laying the bonnet out to dry." -- D.T.F. in New York

• "I like to keep my wool gloves clean, but I don’t like shrinking fingers! After washing, I stuff clothespins in each of the fingers of my gloves while they dry. I’ve had no problems since I started doing this." -- S.G. in Wisconsin

• Planning a car trip this holiday season? Stop in at your local library and ask about books on tape. What better way to make the time pass than a gripping story? And at the library, they’re free to rent. Just make sure you find out how long you can keep it!

• "I love using seasonal salt-and-pepper shakers, especially at family meals. I don’t store them filled with salt and pepper though, and they get a bit dusty or musty in the butler’s pantry. I wash them, of course, but to be sure there will be no sticking before I fill them, I give them a once-over with my hair dryer. I hold the shaker with an oven mitt and aim that hot air inside. It works really well." -- M.K. in New Mexico