Missourinet:
Opponents and proponents of a tobacco tax hike on the November ballot are making their cases to voters.
Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association Executive Director Ron Leone (left) and Representative Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) debate Proposition B in a forum hosted by the Missouri Student Association.
Proponents of Proposition B say it would generate an estimated 283 million dollars for education and smoking cessation programs, by raising taxes on tobacco products.
Executive Director of the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, Ron Leone, opposes Proposition B. He argues there is no guarantee any additional money raised would go to education.
“While this will in fact put more money into the kitty, that’s no guarantee that current appropriations won’t be reduced by the same amount. So when you have … let’s say this generates $100 million dollars for higher ed, let’s just use that as an example ……