A November ballot measure that would significantly raise Missouri’s tobacco tax to increase public education spending is drawing financial support from leaders of the state’s flagship university.
The AP reports the campaign donors in favor of the Proposition B ballot measure include University Curator Warren Erdman, who contributed $5,000. His company, Kansas City Southern Railway Co., gave $25,000.
University system President Tim Wolfe made a $1,000 donation. Chancellors from three of the system’s four campuses also chipped in.
The ballot item would raise Missouri’s cigarette tax to 90 cents a pack. The current 17-cent tax is the lowest nationally.
The proposal could generate between $283 million and $423 million annually, with 80% of the additional revenue going toward education.
