A contribution to the group supporting an initiative to increase Missouri’s last [pdf] in the nation tobacco tax, today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C121042 06/15/2012 MISSOURIANS FOR HEALTH AND EDUCATION American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network 555 11th Street NW Suite 300 Washingto DC 20004 6/15/2012 $127,515.78

[emphasis added]

Previously:

Initiative petitions on raising the tobacco tax (February 14, 2012)

Campaign Finance: Initiative petitions on raising the tobacco tax (February 15, 2012)

Campaign Finance: cough, cough, hack, hack (April 10, 2012)

Campaign Finance: up in a cloud of smoke (April 20, 2012)

Campaign Finance: smoke gets in our eyes… (April 26, 2012)

Campaign Finance: stepping up to clear the air (May 25, 2012)

Campaign Finance: when the smoke clears (May 29, 2012)

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission::

C121042 05/29/2012 MISSOURIANS FOR HEALTH AND EDUCATION Orscheln Management Co. 2000 US Hwy 63 South Moberly MO 65270 5/29/2012 $25,000.00

[emphasis added]

A Missouri company, instead of an out of state interest, contributing to an initiative campaign in Missouri. How refreshingly different.

C121042: Missourians For Health And Education

Po Box 412887 Committee Type: Campaign

Kansas City Mo 64141

(816) 820-8201 Established Date: 01/26/2012

Statutory Amendment To Chapters 149 & 196 Rsmo Relating To Tobacco Taxation & Regulation 11/06/2012 Tobacco Taxation & Regulation Statewide Support

[emphasis added]

Previously:

Initiative petitions on raising the tobacco tax (February 14, 2012)

Campaign Finance: Initiative petitions on raising the tobacco tax (February 15, 2012)

Campaign Finance: cough, cough, hack, hack (April 10, 2012)

Campaign Finance: up in a cloud of smoke (April 20, 2012)

Campaign Finance: smoke gets in our eyes… (April 26, 2012)

Campaign Finance: stepping up to clear the air (May 25, 2012)

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C121042 05/25/2012 MISSOURIANS FOR HEALTH AND EDUCATION Gary Forsee 3 Dunford Circle Kansas City MO 64112 Retired 5/23/2012 $25,000.00

[emphasis added]

This appears to be the first direct big dollar contribution from an individual supporting the tobacco tax initiative campaign.

From their amended April quarterly report:

REPORT SUMMARY

MISSOURIANS FOR HEALTH AND EDUCATION [pdf] 5/10/2012

8. Total All Receipts This Election $697,300.32

14. Total Expenditures This Election $635,301.61

27. Money On Hand at the close of this reporting period $61,998.71

[emphasis added]

CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS RECEIVED

MISSOURIANS FOR HEALTH AND EDUCATION [pdf] 5/10/2012

11. TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED AT FUND-RAISERS AS REPORTED INLINE 8 ON FORM CD1A $0.00

12. TOTAL ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSON GIVING $25 OR LESS $0.00

13. TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $100.00

14. TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS (NOT COMMITTEES) GIVING $100 OR LESS $0.00

[emphasis added]

Previously:

Initiative petitions on raising the tobacco tax (February 14, 2012)

Campaign Finance: Initiative petitions on raising the tobacco tax (February 15, 2012)

Campaign Finance: cough, cough, hack, hack (April 10, 2012)

Campaign Finance: up in a cloud of smoke (April 20, 2012)

Campaign Finance: smoke gets in our eyes… (April 26, 2012)