The Hancock Amendment: Missouri's Tax Limitation Measure

Abstract

In 1980, a Springfield businessman began an initiative petition drive in support of a constitutional amendment that would limit state and local government taxation and spending. That amendment was adopted by the voters on November 4, 1980. It is generally known as the Hancock amendment, after the principal advocate Mel Hancock, and can be found in Article X Sections 18-24 of the Missouri Constitution. The amendment is modeled after a constitutional provision adopted by Michigan voters in 1978 known as the Headlee Amendment. Although Missouri courts have decided dozens of cases interpreting various provisions of the Hancock Amendment, none of the decisions have been based on the construction which Michigan courts have placed on the Headlee Amendment, which are at significant variance from Missouri decisions.