Governor Nixon won't take a stand on increasing Missouri's cigarette tax.
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Governor Nixon won't take a stand on increasing Missouri's cigarette tax.

Date: September 4, 2012
By: Stacey Kafka
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Missourians could soon be paying more for cigarettes, but Governor Nixon doesn't want to take a stand on the issue.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: In November, voters will decide if they want the state's cigarette tax to increase.

When asked about the tax Tuesday, Governor Jay Nixon refused to take a side.

Actuality:  NIXTX2.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "I don't expect to be active in anyway with that campaign and we'll await the verdict of Missourians this fall."

But not all politicians are staying quiet.

Representative Chris Kelly says he supports increasing the cigarette tax.

Actuality:  CKELLY.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "It'll still be among the lowest... It's the lowest in the nation now, and it will still be among the lowest in the nation."

  Missouri's current cigarette tax is seventeen cents.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Stacey Kafka.

Intro: 
Governor Nixon refuses to take a stand on cigarette tax increases.
RunTime:  0:52
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: On the November ballot, Missourians will decide if the state's cigarette tax will increase.

Missouri currently has the lowest cigarette tax in the country. 

And Governor Nixon says he's not taking a stand.

Actuality:  NIXTAX.WAV
Run Time:  00:25
Description: "Well I mean, we'll wait for the public's decision in November. I've said clearly over my four years of governor, I've attempted to... and will continue to... with the public out there, I don't expect to be active in any way in that campaign, and we will await the verdict of Missourians this fall."
 
Representative Chris Kelly who supports the cigarette tax says he's ok with governor staying quiet. 

If the tax increase passes, the money collected from the tax will go to funding education and health care.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Stacey Kafka.