Persisterhood holds emergency meeting: ‘Action Callout: Defeating Amendment 4 & 5’

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Persisterhood of St. Joseph will hold an emergency meeting, "Action Callout: Defeating Amendment 4 & 5," to answer questions about the amendments.

The meeting will take place at 6 p.m, with the door and Zoom call both opening at 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, at Rolling Hills Library's Riverside Branch.

"Persisterhood has never met during the summer months, but two crucial votes on amendments to the Missouri Constitution will give super powers to the state legislature over the will of the people if they pass in the August primary," said Jane Frick, Persisterhood's facilitator.

Amendment 4 will appear on the August Primary Ballot, questioning voters on whether they want further say in amending the Missouri Constitution through the initiative petition process.

A "yes" vote on Amendment 4 supports amending the Missouri Constitution for citizen-initiated amendments in each congressional district, rather than statewide. A simple majority of Missouri's eight congressional districts, or "five" votes, would need to be cast to determine the ruling of a petition.

A "no" vote opposes amending the Missouri Constitution, which would continue to require voter approval of citizen-initiated amendments statewide, but not in each congressional district.

Amendment 5 moves to eliminate income tax for Missourians, which makes up about 63% of the state's general revenues. While Missourians would have reduced income and personal property taxes, the amendment would also allow the increase of local sales tax and service fees.

A "yes" vote on Amendment 5 would support the measure. A "no" vote opposes amending the state constitution to eliminate income tax.

Following the presentation, there will be a Q&A session, followed by a strategy session.