A First? Harpool Supports Tobacco Tax

Democratic State Senate candidate Doug Harpool is the only local legislative candidate who publicly supports a ballot initiative hiking the taxes on tobacco products.

A yes vote on the initiative would raise taxes on cigarettes by 80 cents a pack. It would reportedly be the largest tax increase in state history.

TOBACCO TAX
Champion "NO"
Harpool "YES"

"I'm going to support the tobacco tax personally," Harpool said Monday in a wide-ranging interview. He said he has concern about the proposal because he is fearful how the money might be spent and "what special interest projects Republican legislators will spend it on rather than healthcare."

But Harpool said since he is not imposing the tax on anyone, it is fair to put it to the voters.

"I'm going to vote for it, because I think it is a good amendment for the state of Missouri. If I were a legislator and asked to impose this tax on the state of Missouri, I would vote no. But I think it is fair for the people of Missouri to get to vote on it and make this decision. I'm personally in favor of it," Harpool explained.

Senator Norma Champion called the measure "just another tax." She said she opposes raising tobacco taxes because it unfairly targets lower-income Missourians. "It only prevents it for people who don't have the money," Champion said.

Champion also expressed concern about where the funds would ultimately be directed. "If it is to take care of tobacco-related illnesses, there's not a penny of it ear-marked specifically for that."

When I pressed Harpool on how his personal support is any different than legislative support, he said it comes down to the will of the people. "I'm not imposing it on them. I'm not raising taxes, I'm letting the people of Missouri express their will. I think what is offensive is the idea in Jefferson City that a bunch of politicians think they know better than the people," he said.

Harpool said he would submit almost any proposition to the people of Missouri.

Harpool also noted that this tax only hits people that choose to smoke. "There's no question, none, that smoking imposes healthcare costs on the rest of us and that Missouri's cigarette tax is very low, compared to the amount of money we spend out of our state budget to address smoking illnesses," Harpool said.

"All this does is to get them paying closer to what is a fair share," he added.