JEFFERSON CITY -- A Democrat-backed effort to frighten Missouri voters into believing that the only way to solve the state's budget problems is by raising taxes, has taken a new turn.

According to State Sen. Anita Yeckel, R-Sunset Hills, telemarketers are calling lawmaker's constituents asking about budget cuts, the telemarketer then offers to connect them with their lawmakers to complain.

"I have personally taken a number of these calls and it's clear to me that these people are being misled," said Yeckel, who is a member of both the Senate Appropriations Committee and of the Education Committee. "What the telemarketers are not bothering to explain is that this matter is not all about cuts to health care and education. It's also about raising the taxes of the people of Missouri."

The telemarketer calls are part of an ongoing effort by the Democrats to force the Republican-controlled General Assembly to place a tax increase issue on the election ballot.

"I welcome all constituent calls, even those that disagree with me," Yeckel said. "What bothers me is that my constituents are being tricked into calling me and they aren't fully aware of what they are calling about."

In May, Gov. Bob Holden vetoed four budget bills, those dealing with Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; the Department of Higher Education; the Department of Social Services; and the bill that funds the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Health and Senior Services.

Holden then called the Legislature into Special Session beginning June 2.

Prior to the start of the Special Session, Democrats ran radio and television ads that referred to "The Republican Legislature's Budget Mess."

"Instead of trying to work together to solve our fiscal problems, the Democrats are turning this into a political battle," said Yeckel. "The people of Missouri have rejected new taxes not once, not twice, but three times. How many times do the people of Missouri have to say 'no' before the Democrats get the message?"