[Speed Gibson,
Monday August 29, 2005 at 12:58am]
The Empire Strikes Back
I saw this is Saturday's paper, and am a little surprised that it didn't draw much comment. Anti-Strib and Bogus Gold did.
The tobacco companies are suing the state, arguing that the "health impact fee" violates the 1998 Tobacco Settlement, where the "state agreed not to seek more money for health care costs". As the Taxpayers League has pointed out, smokers are already funding 100% of their supposedly added medical costs. Even if they lose on technicalities, it would appear they have a moral case here. I'm a little surprised that no one seems to have noticed this until now, be they politicians, bloggers or the MSM.
Our Governor seems unwilling to be bound by existing treaties (Racino threat to tribes) and settlements like this. I fear our existing state law requiring a referendum for the Twins stadium proposal will also soon be trampled.
The tobacco companies are suing the state, arguing that the "health impact fee" violates the 1998 Tobacco Settlement, where the "state agreed not to seek more money for health care costs". As the Taxpayers League has pointed out, smokers are already funding 100% of their supposedly added medical costs. Even if they lose on technicalities, it would appear they have a moral case here. I'm a little surprised that no one seems to have noticed this until now, be they politicians, bloggers or the MSM.
Our Governor seems unwilling to be bound by existing treaties (Racino threat to tribes) and settlements like this. I fear our existing state law requiring a referendum for the Twins stadium proposal will also soon be trampled.
I'd say it all depends on which judge gets the case and how the tobacco fee law was written.