Matt Blunt to Missouri: Smoke 'Em if Ya Got 'Em

The American Lung Association gives Missouri an 'F' and ranks the state as having the 46th-lowest cigarette taxes in the country.

Even worse, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids ranks Missouri 49th-lowest (PDF download). You can download a PDF showing how raising cigarette taxes always increases revenue and reduces smoking, as well as one estimating a $240 million revenue increase (as well as even bigger healthcare savings) by increasing cigarette taxes by 50 cents a pack.

Funny how Matt Blunt never mentions any of this.

Is it because increasing cigarette taxes would cripple our tobacco-based state economy? Nah. According to the USDA's 2002 Census of Agriculture, in terms of agricultural product sales, tobacco constitutes .1% of Missouri agricultural product sales, and Missouri ranks 14th out of 23 tobacco-producing states (PDF).

Or could it be because his family is so tight with Big Tobacco? Hmmm.

No, Panic Boy prefers to talk about how Missouri was ranked as the 41st worst legal climate in the country. And by whom? By the Institute for Legal Reform, an arm of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that uses its muscle for legal change favorable to big business.

But interestingly, Missouri is 41st in a different ranking. The Tax Foundation--hardly a liberal organization--ranks Missouri as having the 41st lowest tax burden--as well as the 11th most business-friendly tax system.

Just think--if we can just get our taxes even lower and more business-friendly, we can join the ranks of economic powerhouses such as Alabama and South Dakota.

Updated April 29th, 2005.