Review and approval of a summary statement prepared for the initiative petition submitted by Marc Ellinger (version 4a) regarding a proposed amendment to Chapter 92, Revised Statutes of Missouri.

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MISSOURI JEFFERSON CITY CHRIS KOSTER P.O. Box 899 ATTORNEY GENERAL 65102 (573) 751-3321 January 7, 2010 OPINION LETTER NO. 19-2010 The Honorable Robin Carnahan Missouri Secretary of State James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center 600 West Main Street Jefferson City, MO 65101 Dear Secretary Carnahan: This opinion letter responds to your request dated December 31, 2009, for our review under § 116.334, RSMo, of a proposed summary statement prepared for the petition submitted by Marc Ellinger (version 4a) regarding a proposed amendment to Chapter 92, Revised Statutes of Missouri. The proposed summary statement is as follows: Shall Missouri law be amended to: require voters in certain cities that have or may have in the future a population in excess of 700,000 and have an earnings tax to approve continuation of such tax at the next general municipal election and at an election held every 5 years and if not approved the tax will be phased out over 10 years; and prohibit any city except for certain cities that have or may have in the future a population of more than 450,000 but less than 700,000 from using earnings taxes to fund their budget? Pursuant to § 116.334, RSMo, we approve the legal content and form of the proposed statement. Because our review of the statement is mandated by statute, no action that we www.ago.mo.gov The Honorable Robin Carnahan Page 2 take with respect to such review should be construed as an endorsement of the petition, nor as the expression of any view regarding the objectives of its proponents. Very truly yours, Chii Khi CHRIS KOSTER Attorney General