This would be HILARIOUS if it weren’t so BIG BROTHER! From the guy who brought you the tax on your propane tank for the grill, we now get threats about cigarettes! Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr couldn’t figure out that if you raise taxes on cigarettes higher than the taxes in surrounding states, that people will go to surrounding states to purchase their cigarettes at a LOWER cost. Come on Reagan, tell them it’s for the children!! Don’t they understand?!

Meanwhile, the Bredesen administration sits on their hands doing nothing about the cost of illegal immigration to our local hospitals, prisons, and education system.

If I could draw, I’d have a great editorial cartoon. Reagan Farr and Bredesen at the Tennessee border giving out welcome bags to illegals while they detain a guy with three carton of smokes. Classic.

From this morning’s Sentinel:

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Department of Revenue said Friday that it will begin conducting surveillance of state-line tobacco retailers in other states, looking for Tennesseans who are buying cigarettes there to avoid taxes. Tennessee residents may legally possess no more than two cartons of cigarettes without the state tax stamp.

and this:

“As a result of (the higher tax),Tennesseans may travel to neighboring states to purchase cigarettes in order to avoid paying Tennessee cigarette tax,” said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr.

Economics lesson for Reagan: Price matters…and people look for the lowest price. Now how much do you plan to SPEND of our state tax dollar enforcing your higher tax? I’m curious.

Does anyone know of any tobacco retailers across state lines? If so, send me the name and number. I want to interview these guys on the radio when a Tennessee surveillance team comes in looking for Tennesseans! This is unreal.

Revenue Commissioner Farr is watching you!

Reagan Farr also has a new click-on button over at the Revenue site:

It’s there we learn that consumers may have their vehicles seized. From the Tennessee Department of Revenue website:

Note to consumers: Possessing more than 20 packs (or two cartons) of cigarettes not bearing Tennessee revenue stamps is a violation of Tenn. Code Ann. 67-4-1019. Such products and any 
vehicle(s) used to transport them are considered contraband and are subject to seizure. Possession of more than 25 cartons is a Class E felony, while possession of more than two but less than 25 cartons is a misdemeanor.

Wow! Look at the entire new problem raising cigarette taxes has created. Congratulations Tennessee Legislators who voted for Governor Bredesen’s tax increase for the kiddies! You’ve created more bureaucracy! It’s not just as simple as raising taxes, is it? No, it’s not.