Amendment 7: Show-Me Prosperity FundCreate the Show-Me Prosperity Fund to someday replace state taxes
Read the full text of the measure: Secretary of State 2026 ballot measures page
In plain words
An endowment is a pot of money that is invested and kept, with only the earnings spent. This amendment creates one, the Show-Me Prosperity Fund. Lawmakers could not spend from it until the State Treasurer says its earnings can replace state taxes. After that, yearly spending is capped at 3% of the fund's average value, those taxes end, and lawmakers can't bring them back unless the fund fails. The amendment does not say where the money to fill the fund comes from; lawmakers would decide. (kcur.org )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| State endowment fund | None | Show-Me Prosperity Fund in the constitution |
| Money put in | n/a | Not set by the amendment; up to lawmakers |
| Spending from the fund | n/a | None until the Treasurer says earnings can replace state taxes; then at most 3% of the 5-year average value per year |
| State taxes | Set by lawmakers and voters | Unchanged for now; end once the fund can replace them |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (sos.mo.gov (Missouri Secretary of State) )
Example
Illustration only: the Missouri Budget Project estimates the fund would need about $600 billion to replace all state tax revenue, and that a one-time $250 million deposit would take about 125 years to grow that large. (kcur.org )
Biggest change
- Creates the Show-Me Prosperity Fund in the constitution and bars lawmakers from spending or moving its money until the State Treasurer certifies its earnings can replace state taxes. source: sos.mo.gov (Missouri Secretary of State)
- Caps yearly spending from the fund at 3% of its average value over the past five years. source: sos.mo.gov (Missouri Secretary of State)
- Bars lawmakers from re-enacting eliminated state taxes, unless the fund cannot meet its obligations. source: sos.mo.gov (Missouri Secretary of State)
- Sponsor Rep. Colin Wellenkamp says it was modeled on a one-time deposit of about $250 million invested in funds that track the S&P 500. source: kcur.org
Who it affects most: All Missouri taxpayers in the long run; in the short run, state programs if lawmakers move money into the fund.
Cost to the state: State and local governments estimate no costs or savings. No immediate effect on taxes.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
A state endowment fund is created; state taxes stay for now but would end once the fund's earnings can replace them.
No endowment fund is created, and state taxes stay under the control of lawmakers and voters.
Our one-line summary. Missouri does not publish an official "what your vote means" statement; the ballot title above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
The Legislature put this on the ballot. It changes the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with a simple majority of the votes cast on it.
- Written by Republican state Sen. Adam Schnelting; passed by the General Assembly in 2026 as SJR 95. source: ky3.com
- There is no formal campaign for or against the amendment. source: ky3.com
Why supporters want it
- Sen. Adam Schnelting, the sponsor: "This is not a get-rich-quick scheme, so to speak." source: ky3.com
- Rep. Colin Wellenkamp (R-St. Charles) calls it "a long term pay-it-forward" and says, "I don't want to put any of that at risk or receive a cut because of this." source: kcur.org
Why opponents object
- Traci Gleason of the Missouri Budget Project: "we would have to start taking money away from services like education, health care, senior services." source: ky3.com
- Democratic state Sen. Doug Beck: "I don't see how we do this in a time where we're gonna have issues with funding in general." source: ky3.com
- UMKC economics chair Sirisha Naidu worries the fund could fall short in a recession: "If the fund doesn't do well in a particular moment, which (is) very likely during a recession or depression…" source: kcur.org
Who backs each side
- For: Sen. Adam Schnelting and Rep. Colin Wellenkamp (sponsors). Against: Missouri Budget Project raised concerns. No campaign committees or spending found for either side. source: ky3.com
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Secretary of State's official ballot measure list .
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to establish a permanent public endowment fund to support state government instead of taxing Missouri residents, prohibit the General Assembly from appropriating or diverting the fund, and eliminate state-imposed taxes once the fund generates sufficient revenue to replace them? State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.
YES
NO
Copied from the Secretary of State's 2026 ballot measures page, and checked word for word against the question in the resolution the Legislature passed. The ballot also prints a short fiscal note summary after the question; see your sample ballot.
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.
Full text of the measure
Read it in the Secretary of State 2026 ballot measures page , or on the Legislature's page for SS SCS SJR 95, 103rd General Assembly, Second Regular Session , which also shows the votes in each chamber.
Read more
- Secretary of State: 2026 ballot measures (official ballot titles and fair ballot language)
- KY3: Amendment 7
- KCUR: Amendment 7, the Show-Me Prosperity Fund
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.