With almost 30 percent of GOP state legislators signed onto Grover Norquist's No-Taxes Pledge, and the other 70 percent of the majority party with them in spirit, prospects are dim for any new revenue in cash-strapped Missouri.
Residents, who've suffered from program cuts and employee layoffs in the state, might want to jump at the chance to sign petitions to put a $1 cigarette tax on the ballot in 2012 to meet needs in education, health care, programs for the unemployed, for state highways and more.
"Unfortunately, this measure for the ballot to raise new revenue is just a ruse," contended state Rep. Jeanne Kirkton, D-Webster Groves. "State residents need to think twice before signing petitions to get it on the ballot. It's not what it seems."
Kirkton, as well as some state legislators in the Republican Party, come close to calling it a hoax. That is because the measure will only put the $1 tax on cheap, off-brand smokes. Not surprisingly, the world's big four tobacco manufacturers are solidly behind it.
Brown and Williamson, Lorillard, Phillip Morris and R.J. Reynolds stand to benefit big time, if voters can be persuaded to put it on the ballot and then pass it. Critics say the measure is a cruel fraud because it misleads people into thinking it will prompt some smokers to kick the habit, while providing sorely needed revenue for Missouri.
"We have so many legislators in Missouri who've signed the Norquist pledge to never raise taxes - no matter what," said Kirkton. "They can't address state needs and they've painted themselves into a corner. So, I can see why the people would want to try to help themselves through the ballot.
"But this proposal will not help us, because the revenue from off-brand cigarette sales would be minimal," said Kirkton. "We might as well start having bake sales for revenue in the state of Missouri."
Kirkton said the measure will put the big cigarette brands on an even keel with the cheaper brands that low-income smokers prefer. However, Missouri will gain little revenue and continue to list in the choppy waters of tough economic times.
"It is really a shame," said Amy Blouin of Missouri Budget Project. "Now, Missouri has passed up the cigarette manufacturing states and has the lowest tax on cigarettes of all 50 states. It is shameful to think that we've edged everybody out for dead last place.
"You would think our legislators would say it's time to find revenue to help with all the disaster - floods, and tornadoes," said Blouin. "And now we have petitions to put this misleading measure on the ballot that does nothing to really address all the problems facing Missourians."
Blouin said she can understand why residents would sign the election petitions. However, the $1 tax hike on only the generic packs of smokes will simply put them on a par with "the big guys," on price - and will not aid tobacco education or cessation programs.
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