Amendment 4

Missouri's early voting period for the August 4 primary election saw a surge in voter turnout, with counties like St. Charles and Boone reporting significantly higher numbers compared to previous years. The increase is attributed to voter familiarity with early voting and the presence of two constitutional amendments (Amendment 4 and 5) alongside a competitive Republican primary for county executive in St. Charles.

Missouri's political fundraising in 2023 is dominated by ballot measure campaigns for four constitutional amendments on the August 4 primary ballot, with over $27 million raised. Amendments 4 and 5 have attracted the most funding, with Amendment 4 opponents raising $6 million and $5.3 million respectively, while Amendment 5 supporters have raised $12.7 million.

Amendment 4, a proposed Missouri constitutional amendment, requires citizen-led amendments to win majorities in each of the state's eight congressional districts in addition to a statewide majority. Supporters argue it empowers rural Missouri by countering urban influence, while opponents claim it would silence rural and urban voters by making it harder to pass initiatives through petitions. Recent initiatives like Medicaid expansion and recreational marijuana legalization passed statewide despite rural opposition.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has criticized out-of-state funding for ballot initiatives while benefiting from financial support from a Delaware nonprofit with undisclosed donors for his own constitutional amendment to eliminate the state income tax. Critics argue the amendment would shift tax burdens onto working-class families and harm local retailers, while Kehoe and supporters claim it would enhance economic competitiveness.

Missouri voters approved a 2016 constitutional amendment banning new sales taxes on most services, but under proposed Amendment 4, it would have failed due to not securing a majority in each of Missouri's eight congressional districts. The 2016 measure passed statewide with 57% support but lost in the 1st Congressional District, meaning Amendment 4 would have blocked it and similar citizen-led initiatives.

Will Green of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) highlighted House Bill 549, which establishes a workforce training program, and Senate Bill 408 to update Louisiana’s workers’ compensation medical fee schedule as key legislative achievements. Disappointments included stalled insurance reform bills (HB526, HB1089) and the failure of Amendment 4, which aimed to address the inventory tax.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe placed four constitutional amendments on the August primary ballot, including measures to expand sales taxes to replace income taxes and raise the threshold for citizen-led amendments. The August timing aims to give lawmakers time to prepare for tax reforms but faces criticism as a 'power grab' from opponents.