Voters May Not Get To Vote On Cigarette Tax Increase

Voters across Missouri could miss the chance to vote on a cigarette tax increase in the fall because of a wording change. A Missouri appeals court panel changed the wording that voters would see on the November ballot. The appeals panel ruled late last week that the initiative’s summary was insufficient, because it failed to say a new fee could rise annually with inflation. An attorney for the sponsoring group, Raise Your Hand for Kids, said Monday that he has asked the full appeals court to reconsider the case and also is prepared to appeal to the state Supreme Court. The ruling comes as election officials still are trying to determine whether the petition got enough valid signatures. An attorney for a tobacco retailer opposing the measure says the wording change means those signatures should be invalidated.