JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A group of Missouri gas station and convenience store owners is backing taxing cigarettes an additional 23 cents per pack.
The Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association on Monday announced it is filing two similar initiative petitions for the tax increase.
The initiative petitions would change state law to hike the current cigarette tax from 17 cents to 40 cents per pack, a roughly 135 percent increase.
The petitions also call for a 50 percent tax increase on other tobacco products.
Missouri now has the lowest cigarette tax in the country.
The association estimates the taxes would raise more than $800 million in a decade. One petition would funnel that money into the state's general revenue fund. The other would set revenue aside for transportation needs.
© Associated Press
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Holton woman killed in Jackson Co car-deer accident
Revised flood predictions along the MO River
Valuation change notices coming soon for Nebraska residents
Lancaster shooting, threats, land man in jail
Case dismissed in charity fraud allegations
Three injured in Thursday Jeff Co collision
Atchison Police probe car wash thefts
KHP pursuit ends in Jackson Co
One injured in Jeff Co collision
Jeff Co North USD 339 bond issue defeated
Atchison Co's Laurie seeks another term as Sheriff
Atchison's Amelia fireworks voted 3rd in nation
Whiting woman sentenced in theft of fire dept. funds
USD 415 board holds special meeting
Atchison Co vets to honor comrades Monday
Former KS AG files for Congress
Brown Co Commissioner files for re-election
LATEST STORIES
Kansans, Moran, honor fallen on Memorial Day
HCF Match Day event raises more than $225K
Plans underway for " No Summer Hunger" program
Whiting woman sentenced in theft of fire dept. funds
HCC hires new Vice President for Academic Affairs
One injured in Jeff Co collision
Holton woman killed in Jackson Co car-deer accident