The Missouri Supreme Court declined Monday to hear an appeal to a case against a proposed constitutional amendment that aims to eliminate the state income tax by expanding sales and use taxes to make up for lost revenue.

That means Missouri voters will decide on the Aug. 4 primary election whether to give lawmakers the ability to expand those taxes.

In May, Gov. Mike Kehoe announced the proposed amendment, titled Amendment 5, would appear on the August ballot instead of the November one.

A lawsuit filed against the amendment argued that it improperly amended Missouri’s constitution. It also called the ballot’s summary statement misleading.

Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh rejected those arguments last week. The plaintiffs appealed the ruling.

On Friday, the Missouri Western District Court of Appeals also ruled that the amendment will remain on the August ballot.

However, the court reversed Limbaugh’s ruling on the summary, saying it must be changed because it did not provide enough information.

The new summary, put forth by the Court of Appeals, will now say:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

• Require legislative phase-out of the individual state income tax based on revenue growth, and authorize the expansion of sales and use taxes;
• Curtail constitutional limits on taxing goods and services; and
• Require local tax rate cuts without reducing school funding if local sales tax revenue increases?

Despite succeeding on the ballot summary portion of the lawsuit, the plaintiffs in the case further appealed the decision to the Missouri Supreme Court.

Because the Missouri Supreme Court decided not to hear the case, the Court of Appeals ruling stands. That means the amendment will be listed on the August ballot.

The courts had a tight deadline to rule on this case. State law requires all changes to the primary ballot to be finalized on Tuesday, June 9.

In addition to Amendment 5, three other proposed constitutional amendments will appear on the same ballot, including one that aims to make it harder to amend Missouri’s constitution through the initiative petition process.

Missouri voters have approved constitutional amendments brought forward via initiative petition in prior elections, including overturning Missouri’s near total abortion ban and legalizing recreational marijuana.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has announced five appointments to state boards and commissions, including one reappointment.

Rachel Beushausen of Springfield was appointed to the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board.

Beushausen previously served as an organizational and talent development assistant in the human resources department at Missouri State University. She is an advocate for foster care and currently serves as secretary of the Southwest Missouri Foster and Adoptive Parent Advisory Board. She earned an associate degree from Ozarks Technical Community College and later received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Drury University.

Alice Fuerst of Blue Springs was appointed to the State Oil and Gas Council.

Fuerst has taught geology as a part-time instructor at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City since 1997. She is a member of the Association of Missouri Geologists and serves as secretary and treasurer of the Missouri section of the American Institute of Professional Geologists. Her previous public service includes roles as a member and chairperson of the Blue Springs Solid Waste Management Commission, vice chairperson of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Well Installation Board, and geologist with the Environmental Protection Agency. Fuerst earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Stephens College and a master’s degree in geology from the University of Missouri.

Jennifer “Beth” Houf of Jefferson City was appointed to the Children’s Trust Fund Board.

Houf serves as principal of Capital City High School in the Jefferson City School District. She is a member of several organizations and boards, including the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, and Lincoln University’s REGAL Advisory Board. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in education curriculum and instruction, an educational specialist degree, and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri.

Drew Lock of La Plata was appointed to the State Soil and Water Districts Commission.

Lock serves as president of Lock Farms Inc. and manager of Lock Land & Livestock LLC in northeastern Missouri. He is involved in agricultural and community organizations, including the Missouri Farm Bureau Board, where he serves as a member, and the Adair-Schuyler County Farm Bureau, where he serves as president. He is also a member of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and the La Plata FFA Advisory Board. Lock earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science from Northwest Missouri State University.

Craig Stevenson of Hallsville was reappointed to the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board.

Stevenson serves as population health strategy manager for Home State Health and previously worked as director of policy and advocacy for Kids Win Missouri. He also serves on the stewardship committee of Centralia United Methodist Church and is president of the Hallsville R-IV School District Board of Education. Stevenson earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Missouri.

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Sheriff Jeff Crites with the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department has launched a community education series, and the Daily Journal is pleased to share it with our readers. This installment informs about Missouri’s “Book and Release” law.

Missouri’s “Book and Release” Law

In 2019 Missouri passed legislation that changed how certain arrests are handled. Think you know what it means? Let’s find out!

Be sure to read the full explanation at the end of the quiz.

Question 1:

Under Missouri’s Book and Release law, what happens to individuals arrested for nonviolent offenses like trespassing or shoplifting?

A) They are held in jail until trial

B) They are immediately released without any charges

C) They are booked, given a court date, and released without being held in jail

D) They must post bail before release

Question 2:

Who decides whether someone is released under this law?

A) The arresting officer

B) The local police department

C) The law itself – officers must follow the statute

D) The Mayor

Question 3:

What is the primary goal of the Book and Release policy?

A) Increase jail occupancy

B) Reduce paperwork for police

C) Minimize unnecessary pretrial detention for low-level offenses

D) Eliminate court appearances

Question 4:

True or False: The Book and Release law applies to all criminal offenses in Missouri.

________________________________________

Answers:

1. C – Individuals are processed (fingerprinted, photographed, etc.), given a court date, and released without being jailed.

2. C – Law enforcement does not make discretionary decisions about release; they are required to follow the statute.

3. C – The law aims to reduce strain on jails and avoid holding people unnecessarily for minor infractions.

4. False – It applies only to certain nonviolent, low-level offenses.

________________________________________

Did you get them all right?

Missouri’s Book and Release legislation was enacted as part of broader criminal justice reforms that took effect in 2019. Specifically, the Missouri Supreme Court implemented new rules that changed how arrests and pretrial procedures are handled for certain nonviolent offenses. These rules were designed to reduce pretrial detention and ensure that individuals charged with low-level crimes are not held in jail because they can’t afford bail.

Missouri’s Book and Release law applies to a specific set of nonviolent, low-level offenses, where the goal is to avoid unnecessary pretrial detention for individuals who pose little risk to public safety. While the law doesn’t list every offense by name, here’s a general breakdown of the types of crimes typically covered:

Common Offenses Eligible for Book and Release

• Trespassing

• Shoplifting or petty theft

• Driving with a suspended license

• Disorderly conduct

• Minor drug possession (e.g., small amounts of marijuana)

• Vandalism (low-dollar damage)

• Public intoxication

• Failure to appear (in some cases)

These offenses are usually classified as misdemeanors or ordinance violations, and the law mandates that officers issue a citation and release the individual after booking, rather than holding them in jail.

Offenses Not Covered

The law does not apply to:

• Violent crimes (e.g., assault, robbery, domestic violence)

• Felony-level offenses

• Crimes involving weapons or threats

• Repeat offenses that indicate a flight risk or danger to the public

Law enforcement does not decide who gets released. The statute itself determines eligibility, and officers are required to follow it. This ensures consistent treatment across jurisdictions and removes discretionary bias from the process.

This information is a factual explanation of Missouri law and established criminal‑procedure rules. The details provided reflect statutory requirements and Missouri Supreme Court mandates, not personal opinion or commentary.

Stay safe and take care!