By Bill Raack, KWMU
Clayton, MO – Supporters of a sales tax initiative on the November ballot in St. Louis County kicked off their campaign Tuesday.
The 1/4 cent sales tax increase would raise about $40 million a year for services and programs for abused, neglected and mentally ill children. Campaign manager for Proposition One, Kate Tansey, says there is a large gap in these kinds of services.
"As of the last couple of years, just due to some funding cuts, some shifts in funding, we have experienced capacity in our ability to help our kids in St. Louis County."
Tansey says St. Charles, Jefferson and Lincoln Counties, as well as St. Louis city, have already established so-called Community Children's Service Funds that help pay for these services.