MONTANA NEWS- Sheriff, lawmaker address Montana's 'Castle Doctrine'HELENA - The investigation continues into the shooting death of Henry Thomas Johnson III, who was killed by homeowner James Stiffler in the Helena Valley on Wednesday.Johnson was shot once in the chest after he was found in the home on Canyon Ferry Road allegedly trying to burglarize it.The incident has some people wanting to know more about the "C […]
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- MDT considers arming motor carrier officers(HELENA) The Montana Department of Transportation is considering arming its motor carrier officers with guns.The agency confirms it's weighing the pros and cons of putting weapons in the hands of about 30 transportation workers who check the weights and sizes of semi trucks and other large vehicles.MDT has not yet made a decision about whether or not th […]
- Homicide investigated in Worden; deputies shoot man, find bodyDetails are still unfolding in a series of incidents Friday morning near a bar in Worden, northwest of Billings.According to Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder, Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of suspicious activities in or around an alley near the 406 Bar at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Friday.After arriving on scene at 2430 Main Street, dep […]
- Missing/endangered person alert issued for Zachary Morris Strong of MissoulaThe Missoula Police Department has issued a Missing/Endangered Person Advisory for Zachary Morris Strong.Zachary is a 24-year-old white man, 6'0", 180 pounds, with light brown hair and blue eyes.He was last seen on Wednesday evening at his home on Pamela Street in Missoula, wearing blue pants and a blue polo shirt.He has decreased mental capacity a […]
- Woman injured by moose near MissoulaMISSOULA - A hiker with her dogs and a moose with her calf had an unfortunate encounter on Blue Mountain Trail west of Missoula on Thursday afternoon.The woman was walking her five dogs near Blue Mountain Trail when they came upon a moose and her calf.Officials say the dogs' primal instincts kicked in and they attacked the moose.The woman then trie […]
- President nominates Morris and Watters to federal benchPresident Obama has nominated two Montana judges to the federal judicial bench.The President announced the nomination of Montana Supreme Court Justice Brian Morris to fill Judge Sam Haddon's seat in Great Falls and Judge Susan Watters to fill Judge Richard Cebull's seat in Billings.Late last year Judge Cebull stepped down from the bench after news […]
- Sheriff, lawmaker address Montana's 'Castle Doctrine'
Oct
31
I-149, Pro & Con
October 31, 2004 | 2 Comments
Next up: I-149, also known as The Healthy Kids Healthy Montana Tobacco Tax Increase Act. If passed, this initiative will raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes from the current $0.70 cents to $1.70 – one dollar per pack. The revenue raised by this initiative would go to fund state-sponsored health insurance, primarily, with some funds going into the general treasury.
PRO: if passed, this measure might reduce the number of people — primarily young adults — who begin smoking, and may entice long-time smokers to smoke less or quit due to the cost. Additionally, the money would ostensibly go towards a good cause — providing health insurance for low-income Montanans.
CON: if passed, this measure would arguably increase the number of people who traffic in black-market cigarettes, and it may cause smokers to seek alternatives to their regular habit — cigars, smokeless tobacco, grow-your-own, etc.
That’s the basic information. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to add my two cents…
NO WAY. As a smoker, I’m pretty ticked off that the state is trying to use ME to balance the books and pay for things that it has no business doing in the first place. Singling out smokers is just cowardly — we are perceived as very easy targets.
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- Massive Missouri train collision takes down highway overpass
As a non-smoker I agree with you David. This is just the tyranny of the majority legislating an activity of a minority so the majority can benefit. IT’S WRONG!!
Welcome To “Big Sky” Election Coverage!
Greetings all — this is Dave, from Montana. I know most of you think that we’ve got nothing but militia-men and Unabombers here, but believe me — plenty of good, honest people call Montana home. On the ballot for Tuesday:…