BASEBALL A SMOKIN' TOPIC IN MINNESOTA?

          MN Gov. Arne Carlson "is expected" to propose a dime
     increase in the cigarette tax to help pay for a new $354M
     Twins stadium, according to Robert Whereatt in the
     Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE.  Carlson's staff refused comment,
     but said the Governor would announce a funding source
     Thursday in his "State of the State" message to the state
     Legislature. The state now collects 48 cents per cigarette
     pack, bringing in about $177M a year.  Another dime would
     generate about $33M more a year, according to the MN Revenue
     Dept (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/14).
          ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The Twins began their 36th annual
     Winter Caravan, a three week trip to "drum up interest in
     the team all over Minnesota and in neighboring states,"
     according to John Millea in the STAR TRIBUNE.  This year's
     Caravan will also "sell Minnesotans on the importance of
     building a new stadium" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/14).