Sheets said the proposal hadn’t been seriously considered for the past few legislative sessions.

“We look at this as a solution looking for a problem,” Sheets said.

Approval of the amendment would handcuff local governments and limit their ability to “adjust to an ever-shifting economy” by finding new revenue streams to continue to provide city services, Sheets said.

“How we buy and purchase things is really evolving,” he said.

If potential funding sources are eroded, municipalities may be forced to turn to increases in property taxes to make up the difference, Sheets said.

The Missouri Budget Project, meanwhile, also opposes the change because it wouldn’t allow the state to adjust to changing technology.

For example, Missourians used to access music by purchasing records, compact discs and tapes at an area store. Records, CDs and tapes are all subject to sales tax. But, with the development of digital music, more and more Missourians are accessing their music as downloads.