TWINS GETTING SMOKED BY LAW FIRMS OVER CIGARETTE TAX PLAN

          A second law firm "has dropped" its lobbying contract
     with the Twins, according to Robert Whereatt of the
     Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE.  North State Advisors and
     Associates will keep its business with the Tobacco
     Institute, a trade group that anticipates contesting a
     proposed cigarette tax increase to aid building a new
     baseball stadium.  Seven of 15 registered Twins lobbyists
     have left the team.  The team still retains St. Paul-based
     Winthrop and Weinstine, which doesn't have tobacco clients
     (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/18).  Marketing Consultant Pat
     Forciea says the Twins have obtained commitments for 38 of
     the proposed 50 suites that are planned for their proposed
     new ballpark (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/20).