FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, February 17, 2006
Contact: Stacie Temple, (573) 526-5076
Contact: MIke Seitz, (573) 526-0949

Carnahan Announces new 'Healthy Future Trust Fund' Initiative Petition Approved for Circulation for 2006 Ballot

Jefferson City, Missouri -- Secretary of State Robin Carnahan announced that yesterday an initiative petition to amend the Missouri Constitution to create the Healthy Future Trust Fund has met state standards for circulation. An earlier petition to create such a fund was approved by the Secretary of State's office in October of 2005.

Before the issue can be brought before Missouri voters in the November 2006 election, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to 8 percent of the total votes cast in the last governor's election from six of the state's nine congressional districts. Depending on which congressional districts are used, approximately 145,000 valid signatures are required for a proposed constitutional amendment to be placed on the ballot through the initiative petition process. The ballot language for this constitutional change reads:

"Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to create a Healthy Future Trust Fund which will:

1. be used to reduce and prevent tobacco use, to increase funding for healthcare access and treatment for eligible low-income individuals and Medicaid recipients, and to cover administrative costs;
2. be funded by a tax of four cents per cigarette and twenty percent on other tobacco products; and
3. be kept separate from general revenue and annually audited?

Additional taxes of four cents per cigarette and twenty percent of the manufacturer's invoice price on other tobacco products generates an estimated $351 - $499 million annually for tobacco control programs, healthcare for low income Missourians, and payments for services provided to Missouri Medicaid beneficiaries and uninsured Missourians. Local governmental fiscal impact is unknown."

Ballot language in full text for the issue is available on the Secretary of State's Web site at www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2006petitions/06init_pet.asp.

Before circulating petitions, state law requires that groups must first have the form of their petition approved by the Secretary of State and Attorney General. The Secretary of State then prepares a summary statement and the State Auditor prepares a fiscal impact statement, both of which are subject to the approval of the Attorney General. When both statements are approved, they become the official ballot title.

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