SPRINGFIELD -- On Nov. 3, voters from around the Ozarks will decide the fate of a list of bond and tax issues during one of the worst economic climates in history.  The next four weeks will be critical for all the interests looking for 'Yes' votes.   With the help of Missouri State University, voters could have an idea about some the results before the election.

If you're exhausted yet by the debate over a sales tax hike to fund Springfield's police and fire pension fund, prepare yourself for more information. City leaders just have one month left to make their case in a charged political environment to a voting bloc that's grown more cynical and skeptical than any time in recent memory.

At Missouri State University, political science students are tracking the public opinion.  Under the direction of professor Brian Calfano, a quantitative methods class will produce a pension fund sales tax poll that it will reveal later this month.

"It's a huge issue in the community right now. It's one that I follow closely. It affects all of us and this will give us 500 responses about how they feel about the police and fire pension fund and how they might vote," said Kelby Dickensheet.

The Springfield School District is asking voters to take an easier step.  Basically, it wants a permission slip to leverage federal stimulus money for air conditioning, construction and technology upgrades.  No tax increase is necessary if the proposed bond issue passes.

In Christian County, it's a property tax hike on the ballot to triple the size of the library system.

"This is the only library in Christian County," said Charlie Heldenbrand, who serves on the library board there.

The new property tax would allow officials to move out of the current cramped space near the Finley River Park.  The building no longer meets current building codes.

"If we tried to bring it up to code now, it will cost more than it would to tear it down and start all over," said Heldenbrand.

The proposed property tax -- about $17 more each year on a home assessed at $100,000 -- would build new libraries in Clever, Sparta, and between Ozark and Nixa on Missouri 14.  Despite the sour economy, Heldenbrand said the people have been waiting for it.

"They want more room; they want more books; the children's area will be larger," said Heldenbrand.

For the MSU students, tracking a local election is a real-world learning experience.  The lesson: predicting the future is not easy.

"It's a very difficult and tedious process. Most people don't want to answer polls when they get called at dinner time," said Heldenbrand.

For more political news, head to the Ky3 Political Notebook.

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