FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Jones, MNEA Director of Public Affairs and Messaging
(573) 508-8528 | mark.jones@mnea.org
Here's Why That Matters for Missouri Students
JEFFERSON CITY, MO -- Missouri voters rejected Amendments 4 and 5 overwhelmingly. Politicians tried to make Missouri families pay more so billionaires could pay less, then tie the hands of Missouri’s citizens to tell politicians no. Educators helped stop them.
Amendment 5 would have raised taxes on groceries, rent, and health care for eighty percent of Missouri families, while cutting them for the wealthiest few. It also threatened the money that pays teachers and keeps classrooms staffed.
Amendment 4 would have made it nearly impossible for the citizens of Missouri to protect their Constitution.
"Missouri NEA members knew exactly what was at stake: our students," said Rebeka McIntosh, a classroom teacher from Grandview and President of the Missouri NEA. "Amendment 5 put school funding on the chopping block to pay for a tax cut for billionaires. While Amendment 4 would tie the hands of Missouri Citizens to tell politicians “NO.” Educators weren't going to let that happen."
Missouri NEA helped fund the fight, and its members showed up in every corner of the state. Teachers, support professionals, and retired educators knocked on doors and made calls, telling neighbors what it would cost their kids' classrooms and their own grocery bills.
"Every educator who talked to a parent at pickup, every member who made a call after their shift, this win belongs to them," said Andy Slaughter, a teacher from Meramec Valley and Missouri NEA Vice-President. "We protected Missouri families and our local classrooms tonight."
No Everything Tax and its allies raised funds to defeat Amendments 4 and 5. Proponents of the measure raised over $19 million to pass these initiatives.
"Missourians knew a bad deal when they saw it," said Patrick Layden, Missouri NEA Executive Director. "Tomorrow, Missouri NEA keeps fighting so Jefferson City focuses on what matters, Missouri students, not tax breaks for billionaires."
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Missouri NEA is a union representing 45,000 educators across Missouri: teachers, support professionals, higher education faculty, retirees, and aspiring educators. We are the state affiliate of the 3-million-member National Education Association. Visit www.mnea.org to learn more. Missouri NEA helped fund the No Everything Tax campaign to defeat Amendment 5.