Petitioners Sue the Secretary of State

The people behind a tobacco tax increase petition have sued the Secretary of State, who says they have failed to get enough signatures. Secretary of State Matt Blunt says Citizens for a Healthy Missouri has come up short of the signatures it needs in the Second Congressional District. Group spokesman Brad Ketcher says the group exceeded requirements. Citizens for a Healthy Missouri wants to increase taxes by 55 cents per cigarette pack and by 20% on other tobacco products. The money would fund health programs. Ketcher says the group met with Blunt, who encouraged the group to file the lawsuit. He says the case will likely be decided by the State Supreme Court. Time is short to resolve the suit, if the issue is to be put on the November ballot.