Three Constitutional Amendments on November Ballot.

State Senator Marvin Singleton released the following explanation of the three constitutional amendments that will be presented to the voters on the November 7 ballot.

"Presidential election years traditionally draw a lot of interest," says Singleton, "and 2000 is no exception. I hope that Southwest Missouri voters will take the time to study these issues carefully and then go to the polls as informed voters."

Constitutional Amendment 1 would create a budget reserve fund in the state treasury to provide an operating reserve in case of a disaster or a revenue shortfall.

"In order to use money from this fund, the governor would first have to declare an emergency and request an emergency appropriation," said Singleton. "The request must then be approved by at least two-thirds of the General Assembly."

Amendment 2 would reduce the time from two years to six months that individuals have to be members of an organization in order to assist with the operation of licensed bingo games.

"This is a simple adjustment and no other changes would be made to the laws regulating bingo in this state," said Singleton.

Amendment 3 eliminates the authority of the Citizens’ Commission on Compensation to recommend mileage and expenses for statewide officials, legislators and judges, and makes salary recommendations from the commission subject to appropriation by the General Assembly.

According to Singleton, under current provisions the commission can propose a different salary every two years and the Missouri Legislature can reject the recommendations in total, and if not approved, any such recommendations are subject to appropriations.

"If this measure is approved by voters, the General Assembly will no longer have the authority to reject the commission’s recommendations," says Singleton. "In addition, all of the recommendations would be subject to appropriations just like the salaries of all other state employees."

The General Assembly placed all three of these constitutional amendments on the November ballot.

I can still remember the day I learned how to keep from fallin’ down on a bicycle. As you might notice I didn’t say I learned to ride. That would take a little longer. But by trial and error, which means fallin’ off, I learned how to jump off at times, put my feet down, and of course, how to roll when ya fall. The basic defensive maneuvers.

I prob’ly thought at the time I’d learned how to ride, but that came another day, after the bruises healed a might.

‘Course back then no respectable bike rider would be caught dead with a helmet or knee pads on. Ya took your lumps. Think I still have a couple as a matter a fact.

All those crashes came ta mind when I went to the skatin’ rink the other day. Don’t think I ever did learn how ta skate.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click & Clack
TALK CARS

by Tom and Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray:

I’ve still got my first new car, a red 1987 Toyota MR2. We had a party for its 100,000th-mile birthday a year or two ago and it’s still running well. I have a repainting question. One firm recommends painting it the same exact color, so they can cut corners and not paint the door jambs and other places where I won’t really notice it. They say this will save me money because they won’t have to take off body parts and hardware.

I have no objection to saving a little money, but I want to make sure I get a good paint job, since I plan on keeping this car through its 200,000th-and 300,000th-mile birthdays. Rust isn’t a problem where I live. Should I have the car thoroughly repainted inside and out, or is it OK to save a few bucks and just paint the parts that show.-Marcy

TOM: If you were planning to, say, sell the car to your brother, then I’d say fine, cheap out and don’t paint the door jambs.

RAY: But since you obviously love this car and are planning to keep it for the long haul, I’d get a real paint job, Marcy. It’s not much more expensive, and a real body shop might even, for example, roll up the windows before spraying on the paint.

TOM: More important, Marcy, in my opinion, you can’t paint the car the same color. After spending all that money, the goal is to feel like you’ve got a brand-new car. And to do that, it has to be a brand-new color.

RAY: Just don’t make the same mistake my brother did. Be sure that the new exterior color you pick goes with the car’s existing interior.

TOM: How was I supposed to know that a metallic burnt-orange body clashes with snot green seat?