St. Louis County Proposition U
Simple majority required.Ballot wording: Shall St. Louis County impose a local use tax at the same rate as the total local sales tax rate, provided that if the local sales tax rate is reduced or raised by voter approval, the local use tax rate shall also be reduced or raised by the same action?Summary: The proposition would allow the county to establish a tax on out-of-state purchases equal to the county's sales tax of about 3.5 cents. The new tax would apply in both unincorporated areas and municipalities. The tax would generate an estimated $110 million to $140 million a year. Of that total, county government would get between $74 million and $95 million, an amount that would help deal with county budget shortfalls. Municipalities would get from $32 million to $41 million and the St. Louis Zoo would receive $4 million to $5 million. Supporters of the measure say it would help county government deal with its continuing deficit problems and put local businesses on a more level playing field with out-of-state companies. Opponents say the county should do more to reduce spending.
