By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – A group of lobbyists wants to change Missouri's constitution so that sales taxes would automatically go up if revenue falls.
The Missouri Policy Group's goal is to get enough signatures for a question on next August's ballot.
The state isn't bringing in as much money at current tax rates, and nearly all government programs have seen some kind of funding cut.
A draft was turned in this week to the Secretary of State's office, which will decide whether to certify the proposal for a signature campaign.
The amendment is backed by the Missouri Policy Group. The group was formed recently by several state Capitol lobbyists who also backed last year's failed ballot proposal to raise tobacco taxes.
Under the ballot proposal, the commissioner of administration would decide each September if net general revenue, divided by estimated population, is below the inflation-adjusted level of fiscal 2001. If so, sales tax automatically would rise by up to 1%.