JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri House members have approved a proposed amendment to the state Constitution that limits increases in state spending.

The measure would cap annual spending increases at 1.5 percent of the revenue collected in the previous year plus the rates of inflation and population change. Additional money would be used for debt and two state reserve funds. Eventually it would permit an income tax cut.


House members on Thursday approved the measure 105-54, which sends the proposal to the Senate.


Majority House Republicans say the spending limit is a priority. Supporters say it would make budget decisions more sustainable and soften the severity of cuts in tight years. Critics argue it would curtail lawmakers’ ability to make decisions.
Approval by the Legislature would put the measure to a statewide vote.

A new television ad starting today in Missouri’s 4th congressional district urges citizens to contact Rep. Ike Skelton (D) and tell him that he works for Missouri, not Nancy Pelosi. To view the ad, click here.

The ad states that Rep. Skelton and Nancy Pelosi vote together 98% of the time: “Under their control, spending has skyrocketed, the deficit has tripled, and nearly one in ten Missourians are unemployed.”