Missouri REJECTS a Tobacco Tax Increase

[mattia76]

Finally, A measure of Sanity.
Finally, some good news in my state about tobacco.

Proposition B, which would have raised cigarette and RYO tobacco taxes by a lot in Missouri (which Pipe Tobacco often gets lumped into) FAILED by a 51-49% margin.
I could hardly believe that we had some good sense this time, especially since the Prop language claimed the money would go to education funds in Missouri.

 

[dervis]

Score one for the good guys!

 

[hawk60ce]

nice!! in ohio they lumped smoking ban in with childrens health care years back

 

[puffy]

Not a big margin,but big enough..Great News

 

[numbersix]

Not a big margin,but big enough..Great News

+1

 

[mrgunnar177]

awesome news!

 

[elwin]

Yeah, I was shocked myself. But I think a lot of us Missouri voters are tired of hearing that "it's for the children!" shlock they always feed us. They did the same for the lottery, the casino's and the like. The problem is, after ONE year the new tax revenues stop going to 'education' and are diverted back into the general fund, where they then spend it where ever they please. (Usually some pork pet project...)

But I'm sure they'll try again under some other name or cause. Government loves that 'sin' tax cash cow.

 

[grizzly86]

We beat Prop B, but not by much. The numbers I have been seeing are 51% to 49%. Already there is talk that voters "didn't understand the issue" and they will be pushing to get it on the ballot again. It is always great to know that I am thought of as too stupid to understand what I am voting for, and that they will keep pushing there agenda until they get the vote they want.
On another note they keep talking about how bad it is for the schools that this didn't get passed. If there is such a huge need of funds for the schools why are they singling out one group?
I got my personal property taxes yesterday. Luckily I have my house taxes working into my monthly payments because the bill on our cars was ridiculous. Here is my wife's car 2006 Ford 500 Total due $96.19....R8 (the school district) makes for $84.91 of that.

 

[ejames]

I was surprised to see that Prop. B had been voted down. Think I need to build up my stocks of PA and Ch before they run it through again!

 

[kcghost]

They always give us "the money will all go to education" line. And it really does, but they reduce the amount going to education from the general revenue so that when all is said and done education doesn't get a single dime more.

 

[fireman03]

I guarantee with that close of a margin it will be back on the ballot sooner than later.

 

[cacooper]

Greetings,
We are truly a divided country. 51 to 49. That's the same spread for Obama. Interesting.
The Divided States of America.
Very sad, no more unity. As they say, divide and conquer.
Glad the measure was rejected. A win is a win.
CACooper

 

[papipeguy]

Hurray for you guys. Keep the faith.