Missouri Amendment 4 - Funding for City Police As Determined by the State
The proposed amendment that is Missouri Amendment 4 seeks to change the Missouri Constitution to include the following provision:
“Notwithstanding the foregoing prohibitions, before December 31, 2026, the general assembly may by law increase minimum funding for a police force established by a state board of police commissioners to ensure such police force has additional resources to serve its communities.”
Why the proposed change? As is, the Missouri Constitution prohibits the state legislature from requiring a city to increase funding for certain activities and services, unless the state provides additional money for it. Due to a recent disagreement between Missouri lawmakers and the Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, lawmakers are now seeking a constitutional amendment that allows them to increase minimum funding for police departments that are controlled by a state board of police commissioners. As is shown in the proposed language, the added section does not include a mandate that any increase in police funding would require the legislature to also include state funds to fund any newly-required minimum funding.
Notably, the only city police force in the State of Missouri currently controlled by a state board of police commissioners is Kansas City, Missouri’s police force. Also, there is no maximum percentage of a budget that could be required of a city to set aside to police funding. This allows the legislature to set a “floor” of required funding for police, but also allows discretion in setting the minimum amount of required spending (i.e., it could be any amount the legislature deems appropriate, up to and exceeding 100% of the budget).
A “Yes” vote would allow the Missouri legislature to increase minimum funding for such a police force without input or a vote from the city itself. A “No” vote will maintain the status quo, which does not allow for such action by the Missouri legislature.
A full text of the section of the Missouri Constitution, including the existing language and proposed changes, can be found here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/22info/pdf-bill/tat
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