“Silver Haired Legislature” Wants Missouri To Raise Cigarette Tax

(MIssourinet) A group that advocates for senior citizens in Missouri wants to raise the state’s tax on cigarettes.

Missouri’s Silver Haired Legislature held their annual 2-day session last week to craft proposals to pass on to lawmakers ahead of next year’s regular session.

One of those proposals is to raise the state’s cigarette tax and spend the extra revenue on public transportation needs for older Missourians. At 17-cents a pack, Missouri has the lowest cigarette tax in the U-S.

The Silver Haired Legislature consists of 120 Representatives and 30 senators, age 60 and older, who advocate for Missouri’s elderly population.

Last year, they asked lawmakers to exempt Social Security payments from being taxed and to halt property taxes for elderly homeowners – a bill accomplishing both of those goals was signed into law this year by Governor Parson.