MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
A health care coalition is taking the first steps to raise Missouri's cigarette tax by at least 50 cents a pack.
Johnathan Woodward has more from Jefferson City.
Citizens for a Healthy Missouri has filed eight initiatives with the Secretary of State's office.
If the language in the initiatives is approved, a proposition increasing the cigarette tax by 50 to 55 cents per pack may show up on the November ballot.
Dwight Fine of the Missouri Hospital Association, one of the groups involved, says the tax would mean more than just extra revenue for health care:
But House Speaker Jim Kreider says if smoking decreases, revenue for hospitals would take a hit as well.
In Jefferson City, Johnathan Woodward.
A process is underway that could result in a half-dollar increase in Missouri's cigarette tax.
Johnathan Woodward has more from Jefferson City.
A health care coalition has filed initiatives with the Secretary of State's office for approval.
If the coalition goes ahead with one of the plans, voters could decide in November whether to increase the cigarette tax from 17 cents per pack to 67 cents.
Proponents of the idea say the hike would mean more money for underfunded trauma centers--as well as a decrease in smoking.
But that decrease worries House Speaker Jim Kreider:
The coalition expects to decide next month whether to go ahead with their plan.
In Jefferson City, Johnathan Woodward.
Missourians could pay more for cigarettes next year if a health care coalition's efforts are successful.
Johnathan Woodward has more from Jefferson City.
Citizens for a Healthy Missouri wants to increase Missouri's cigarette tax from 17 cents to at least 67 cents per pack.
The group has filed initiatives with the Secretary of State's office that could give voters the final say in November.
Proponents of the tax hike say trauma centers need the extra money--and smoking might decrease as well.
But House Speaker Jim Kreider says he's not sure the plan is such a good idea:
Kreider says if smoking decreases, revenue would decrease as well.
The coalition says they will decide next month whether to go ahead with the initiative.
In Jefferson City, Johnathan Woodward.