Ballot Issue Lights Up Debate Between Voters

If passed, the proposition would add a new tax to cigarettes, increasing the tax per pack to $0.73.

According to a November sample ballot, that tax would raise between $283 and $423 million a year, something Prop B's proponents say would go to education.

"Fifty percent would go to local public schools, for example three million here in Springfield, and 30 percent would go to higher education, for example, such as Missouri State and Ozarks Techinical Community College, and then 20 percent would go to tobacco prevention and cissation," says Misty Snodgrass with the Proposition B Bus tour.

The bus tour will stay on the road for the next two weeks, stopping in 24 missouri cities by the end of it.

Also Monday, the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convience Store Association released a statement against Prop B

The association had quotes from University of Missouri - Columbia economist Joseph Haslag. You can read the press release below:

ECONOMIST: PROPOSITION B HURTS ALL MISSOURIANS

Ballot Measure to Raise Taxes by 760%, Eliminate Over $67 Million in State and Local Funds

Jefferson City University of Missouri-Columbia economist, Joseph Haslag, recently conducted an analysis of Proposition B's outrageous and unfair 760% tax increase. Haslag finds that despite what proponents say, Prop B negatively impacts all taxpayers and not just smokers.

"The price increase will have adverse effects on the state, county, and municipal revenues that rely on cigarette purchases," reports Haslag. "Fiscal impacts will be widespread and felt by every political subdivision in the State of Missourino one will be held harmless if Proposition B passes."

In his study, Professor Haslag finds Proposition B will decrease state, county, and municipal revenues by at least $67 million. The decreases are found with reductions to the State School Money Fund, the Health Initiative Fund, the Fair Share Fund, state sales tax and local cigarette excise taxes.

Attached are relevant portions of Haslag's report.

"While proponents of Prop B travel the state on their bus tour, will they be stopping by schools to tell teachers and students to expect education funding to fall? Will they go to homes and inform families that essential services could see a decrease in revenue," commented Ron Leone, Executive Director of the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association. "Those who support Prop B say money will be go to education, but the only guarantee is that education and essential state and local services will lose money."

The Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association is a statewide trade association with over 450 members that represents the majority of gas stations, convenience stores, petroleum marketers and retail suppliers located all across Missouri. A large portion of MPCA members consist of second and third generation family-owned and operated small businesses.

###

Paid for by the Missouri Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association (MPCA) PAC, Ronald J. Leone, Treasurer.