A southwestern Missouri man who led a petition effort limiting state revenues and local taxes has been inducted into the Capitol's Hall of Famous Missourians.
Mel Hancock was a businessman when he developed a Missouri constitutional amendment passed by voters in 1980. Now known as the "Hancock Amendment," it establishes a state revenue limit, bars state government from imposing unfunded mandates on local governments and requires voter approval for local tax increases.
Hancock later served four terms in Congress and built a reputation as a fiscal and social conservative.
The Hall of Famous Missourians is a collection of bronze busts that honor people chosen by the House speaker and are displayed between the House and Senate chambers. Among those already included are President Harry Truman, Walt Disney and Walter Cronkite.
