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• Philip Morris sues to stop Measure 50  

Oregon Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, and a group of tobacco users and retailers have sued to stop a cigarette tax increase proposal from appearing on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Measure 50 is a constitutional amendment that would raise taxes on tobacco to boost children's health insurance coverage.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in Marion County Circuit Court against Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, claims the measure violates the constitution on several fronts. Mainly, it violates the "separate vote" provision of the constitution by making one vote cover three distinct taxes on cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products, said James Dumas, a Portland attorney who is representing plaintiffs. . . .

Tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds this week dumped $1.7 million into The Oregonians Against the Blank Check Committee. The campaign has spent about $365,000, with most of the money going to Salem lobbyist Mark Nelson's company.

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