There’s just one issue on the ballot for Midtowners in Tuesday’s special election.
Jackson County business, civic and health care leaders have proposed a half cent sales tax to pay for an institute to advance treatments and cures. The tax would raise $40 million a year for a new institute on Hospital Hill that would be a center for health care, research, service and a hub for medical jobs.
If the sales tax passes, the Hall family and the Hall Family Foundation have said they will donate $75 million to build the county Institute for Translational Medicine.
Opponents include a Springfield trial attorney who originally said voters should instead consider a statewide research tax. Others have said translational medical research does not always produce cures or effective medicines, and that tax money might go to subsidize local hospitals.
You can check your voter registration or find your polling place at the Election Board website. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Read the Star’s latest article on the research tax issue
Previous posts
Who’s talking