Springfield, Missouri Mayor Looks for More Tax Increases: Cigarette Taxes May See Increase

The liberal mayor of Springfield, Missouri never met at a tax he didn't like. Fresh from cramming down a sales tax increase down voters throats, demanding it be placed on the ballot until voters finally gave in, Mayor Jim O'Neal says he needs more taxes raised in Springfield now. Of course, as the Federal Reserve continues to devalue the dollar, it wouldn't surprise me to see more and more mayors, country and state officials demanding more taxes.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-- Springfield's Mayor wants Missouri to raise cigarette taxes, and in turn help the state's tight budget.

Missouri voters turned down an increase in the state cigarette tax as recently as 2006, but Springfield Mayor Jim O'Neal says it doesn't have to go to a vote, and he hopes legislators will get it done...

"We rank 50th in the United States, and I just think it's a tragedy that when we're facing these strong budget issues that are going to cut programs across the state, that we don't take advantage of what's right in front of us," says Springfield Mayor Jim O'Neal

The city council is going over their legislative priorities, and they'll discuss the tobacco tax again Wednesday.

As mentioned before, when does this stop on the tax-happy mayor's part? I have seen this in Chicago and it's taking place in Springfield now as well.