Judge:Tobacco Tax (Amendment 3) on the ballot

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A state judge today ordered a proposed tobacco tax increase to appear on Missouri's November 7 ballot, ruling that supporters had gathered enough valid petition signatures.

The decision by Cole County Circuit Judge Thomas Brown overturns a decision last month that the amendment had fallen 274 names short of the required mark in the Kansas City area.

The proposed constitutional amendment will ask voters to raise the state's 17-cents-a-pack cigarette tax to 97 cents and increase taxes on other tobacco products to 30% of the manufacturer's invoice price. That's instead of the current 10%.

Projected proceeds of at least $351 million a year would go toward health care and anti-tobacco programs.