Amendment 1, if passed, would continue the one-tenth of one percent sales/use tax for soil and water conservation, state parks and historic sites.  Missouri has some excellent state parks and historic sites.  This also funds a soil conservation program, not to be confused with the MDC, Missouri Department of Conservation.    

Amendment 1 renews the existing sales tax created in 1984 with a 1/10 of 1% sales tax. This tax funds 3 programs:  57 Missouri State Parks, 36 Missouri state historic sites and 114 Soil & Water conservation districts.   It provides about 75% of the state park budget.  The remaining revenue comes from visitor services (camping, lodging, and concessions), federal programs, revenue bonds, and private donations.

This sales tax renewal has a sunset. Voters must reauthorize the tax every 10 years.  If passed, this measure will not increase or decrease taxes.

Missouri state parks offer fishing, birdwatching, caving, canoeing, climbing, camping, exploring, stargazing, boating and history. Some of the top rated state parks include Elephant Rocks, Johnson Shutins, Roaring River, Bennett Springs and Watkins Woolen Mill.  Missouri’s ‘rails to trails’ include the 240 mile Katy Trail and the 200 mile Rock Island Trail state park that is being developed.  Our state park system has more than 1,000 miles of trails for hikers, bicyclists and backpackers.

All Missouri state parks have day-use areas that are great opportunities for family day trips.

Missouri state parks serve 20 million visitors per year. https://mostateparks.com/

The Soil & Conservation districts cover every county in Missouri. Soil conservation projects on 8 million acres of Missouri farmland include cover crops, contour terraces, grass waterways and livestock ponds. All projects implemented through locally elected Soil & Water Conservation District Boards and paid for with this sales tax. 

Missouri’s 114 soil and water conservation districts also provide information and education, financial incentives, and technical support with design, implementation and maintenance to voluntarily implement soil and water conservation practices that decrease soil erosion and protect water resources.   https://mosoilandwater.land/

While we seem to be Taxed Enough Already!  The average Missourian pays about $20 per year for this sales tax. All state parks are free to enter because of this sales tax. 

Our state parks are some of the best, and for that reason, I am a Yes vote for Amendment 1.

The last day to register to vote for the August primary is July 8, 2026.