MN CIGARETTE TAX UP IN SMOKE: ARE PLAYERS SALARIES NEXT?

          MN State Rep. Ann Rest, chief sponsor of the Twins
     ballpark bill, "has scrapped its provision for a
     controversial cigarette tax increase," according to Weiner &
     Whereatt of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE.  In its place
     could be "two unique funding mechanisms," including one that
     would tax the salaries of the Twins and visiting baseball
     players.  The other possible option is to tax "sports fans
     who buy apparel and memorabilia, such as baseball cards,"
     similar to the plan under consideration in WA for the
     Seahawks.  Rest said she would "favor a tax for only pro
     sports items," not college apparel.  A proposed 4% surcharge
     on players' salaries "could be the most controversial
     substitute" for the cigarette tax.  Twins President Jerry
     Bell and Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission Chair
     Henry Savelkoul "questioned the viability of the special
     income tax on players" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/9).