BREAKING NEWS
The Missouri Supreme Court issued a ruling today allowing the proposal which seeks to raise the state’s tobacco tax more than 400% to pay for health services to stay on the November ballot.
In a unanimous decision the court ruled that the reasons given by local election authorities for not allowing more than 1,000 valid signatures onto the petition were not good enough to prevent its certification.
“Although the implementing statutes are required to be followed, failure to adhere to mere technical formalities should not deny the people the power to propose changes to our laws or amendments to our constitution,” said the ruling.
“Substantial compliance with the implementing statutes is all that is required.”
October 11th, 2006 at 10:12 am
So when’s the tax on Mcdonald’s fries going to go up 400%?
October 11th, 2006 at 10:26 am
Vote NO on this tax increase. All you fat fucks out there cause a greater burden on the health system than smokers ever could.
Oh, yea. What about all you old bastards out there hanging on to life draining healthcare funds? Should we have an “Old Bastard Tax” too?
This is tax abuse plain and simple.
VOTE NO.
October 11th, 2006 at 11:08 am
As a non smoker I am supporting this tax! Smokers kill people with their second hand smoke and falling asleep with lit cigarettes causing fires! My only regret is that the tax isn’t 10 times higher!
October 11th, 2006 at 12:45 pm
How much do you weigh, Star?
What is your age?
Maybe we need a “Star Jones Tax.”
October 11th, 2006 at 1:49 pm
Passing smoke-free ordinances and raising cigarette excise taxes are the two most effective ways to keep kids from smoking. Of course, the tobacco industry doesn’t want anything cutting into their future customer base.
October 11th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Cigarettes are easily regulated. Food for “fat fucks” is not. This is an easy yes vote from me.
MO is one of the worst states for smoking and it shows… something must be done. Hit the smokers in the pockets…
October 11th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
It is just as easy to tax tobacco as it is to tax certain foods.
October 11th, 2006 at 3:29 pm
Can someone please explain the ruling in english? lol- I can’t make any sence of that legal mumbo jumbo. What does this mean exactly?
October 11th, 2006 at 4:43 pm
The court cherry picked this legislation, while letting Eminent Domain legislation die.
October 11th, 2006 at 9:56 pm
In short there are greater concerns to be addressed.
Blunt cut funding for health care and now we are going to tax smokes in order to fix his mistakes? Talk about accountability!
A large portion of this money benefits hospitals and doctors.
Money is also given to ineffective prevention programs.
Never mind that this tax is regressive and harms the poor more than the rich. Simply realize that this is a 470 percent increase!
Vote no!