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Indianapolis Star
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Ball State golfer Happy Gilmore: 190 mph ball. No need to act. 'I'm so much like Happy'
Happy Gilmore is, admittedly, a little goofy, pretty funny, extremely competitive and a guy who doesn't put on airs, laughing that, at the moment, he's laid up from a knee injury. No, not from playing golf but from swimming in a pond where a rock cut his knee which got infected. Gilmore can also drive the living daylights out of a golf ball. His highest ball speed on record is 190 mph, almost as fast as the cars that whiz around Indianapolis Motor Speedway and surpassing the average ball speed on the PGA Tour with a driver, which is 174 mph. To put it simply, the real life Happy Gilmore, a 19-year-old golfer at Ball State University, is a lot like the original Happy Gilmore -- the character with a wicked, hockey-induced golf ball speed played by Adam Sandler in the 1996 movie by the same name -- although the realGilmore never played hockey. "I don't have to fake (it). That's pretty much who I am. My personality really just matches his personality," Gilmore, who was a standout golfer at Bloomington South, told IndyStar on Wednesday. "It's just cool I can freely be myself and, you know, I feel like it's just kind of the way he was in the movie, how I naturally am in real life." As "Happy Gilmore 2" debuts on Netflix July 25, nearly 30 years after its original, wildly popular, box office release, Gilmore is in a bit of disbelief again at just "how big of a deal that movie is." When Gilmore was a tiny guy just getting his start in the sport, he had no idea the movie was a big deal at all. Then he arrived at a golf tournament with his given name, Landon James Gilmore, and a random happening gave him the nickname Happy for life -- and a bit of a spotlight in the golf world. When Gilmore committed to Ball State in 2023, the spotlight shined even brighter as the nation and the world took notice of what surely couldn't be real. A guy actually named Happy Gilmore was playing Division I golf? Sandler retweeted Gilmore's college commitment post with the words "Go get em Happy. Pulling for you," which got 9.9 million views. Gilmore was too big of a marketing boon to pass up. NIL deals started to follow. "I would have to think that (my name is helping with NIL). But I'd like to think it's because I'm not bad at golf," said Gilmore. "But, I mean, it's definitely helping. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't." How to watch 'Happy Gilmore 2': Release date, Netflix price, cast cameos in Adam Sandler movie Gilmore was 9, playing a tournament where he won a long drive contest. At the awards dinner, when his name was announced Landon Gilmore, someone yelled out "Happy." "It was some random person and I don't know who it is to this day," Gilmore said. "But then, the next day at the tournament when it started, people were calling me Happy. And then from there, it just kept building and building and building until what it is now." Through the years, complete strangers at the golf course have come up to Gilmore spouting out quotes from the movie. And Gilmore always has a quote or two to shoot back. He's pretty sure he's seen the movie at least 100 times. More than once after a tee shot in a match or tournament, he's heard a scream from the distance: "Jackass." "It's always funny because I'm never expecting it," said Gilmore. "It gets me laughing every time." Gilmore, of course, knows there is no ill intention with the name calling. That's what happens in the movie. As Sandler tees off, he is tormented by a guy who yells "You suck ya jackass." In high school, Gilmore was one of the state's best. He was a four-time all-state player, finishing seventh in the IHSAA finals as a sophomore and eighth as a junior. He shot 70 and 79 to finish with an 11th place finish in the state finals as a senior. In 2023, Gilmore qualified for the United States Junior Amateur Championship, shooting 66 at Delaware Country Club in the local qualifier. He was runner-up in the Indiana Golf Hoosier Junior Championship and finished fourth in an elite international field of players at the Golfweek International Junior Invitational in Orlando. And he did it all as the star player Happy Gilmore. But then, the fanfare surrounding Gilmore's name was mostly relegated to the world of golf. "And then, all of a sudden, when I committed, it kind of blew up everywhere," Gilmore said. "I was like, 'Oh wow, this is actually a pretty big thing.'" Among the bigger NIL deals Gilmore signed is one with Arby's, which put out a "Birdies & Beef Collection" of golf apparel featuring Gilmore. "As a lifetime fan of Arby's, being the face of the Birdies & Beef Collection is a dream come true,' Gilmore said after the deal was announced. 'It's a mix of the two things I love most, golf, especially during the major tournament, and an Arby's Beef N' Cheddar sandwich. Being the face of an Arby's campaign feels like a hole in one." Can't you hear Adam Sandler saying that? Another big deal for Gilmore came with Sunday Golf, which includes Gilmore representing the brand through social media and using their golf gear. Looking back, Gilmore said, he never really tried all that hard to make sure people knew his name. It just grew organically through the years. "I mean, I've always had fun with it. But I never really pushed the name," he said. "Everything that came with it has just kind of fallen in line with each other. I've never really went out of my way to try and benefit me." Gilmore has never met Sandler or talked to him. His only contact from the movie star was when Sandler re-posted his commitment to Ball State. So, alas, there will be no cameo from the Indiana Happy Gilmore in the sequel "Happy Gilmore 2." But, of course, Gilmore will be watching. He and his friends are putting together a watch party where Gilmore hopes to see the same Happy character of the original film, the one who is a lot like him. "Happy, literally, is the polar opposite of what the average golfer is supposed to be," said Gilmore. "And I'm kind of from a small town. And, obviously, I'm currently laying in bed because I injured my knee swimming in a pond. That's very Happy Gilmore." The reason Gilmore loves the movie is "it's not the typical golf classy film." As for a favorite scene or quote from the original, he goes back to the guy who would always yell "jackass" when Sandler was teeing off. "I've heard that so many times in my life," he said. While Happy isn't Gilmore's legal name, he's been using it solely for more than a decade. So, in his mind, he is officially Happy Gilmore. Take other golfers like Tiger Woods, whose real name is Eldrick Tont Woods. The nickname Tiger was given to him by his father in honor of a friend, a South Vietnamese Colonel named Vuong Dang Phong, who went by Tiger. Or Bubba Watson, who got his nickname from his father, who thought he looked like football player Bubba Smith. Watson's legal name is Gerry Lester Watson, Jr. "I didn't realize a lot of those guys don't go by their actual first name," Gilmore said. So why not be Happy? After all, his name suits him to a tee. "I can just be myself and it goes right along with the movie," said Gilmore. "I've always just felt like, 'You know what? This name is almost perfect.'"
Winnipeg Free Press
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Can't really think of a better way to start off my professional golfing career'
Braxton Kuntz is hoping to make this a summer for the ages. The 22-year-old Winnipegger — already one of the most decorated amateur golfers in Manitoba history — is on the cusp of turning professional after graduating from Ball State University in Indiana this past May. Kuntz won't have to travel far for his first 'play-for-pay' event. He's secured a sponsor's exemption into the Manitoba Open, which takes place next month at his home course of Breezy Bend, featuring top talent from the PGA Tour Americas. 'I can't really think of a better way to start off my professional golfing career,' Kuntz told the Free Press on Tuesday. NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS FILES Braxton Kuntz will play his first pro tournament at his home course of Breezy Bend in August at the Manitoba Open. NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS FILES Braxton Kuntz will play his first pro tournament at his home course of Breezy Bend in August at the Manitoba Open. 'That's the place that has supported me since I was really young, and now to be able to turn pro and compete in front of the people that have been a part of it for years is really special. I'm really looking forward to it.' However, Kuntz isn't getting ahead of himself. He has two big tournaments left on his personal calendar between now and then which will require his undivided attention. First up is the Canadian Men's Amateur Championship next week at Royal Ottawa Golf Club. Kuntz earned his spot by winning a record-setting four straight Manitoba Amateur titles (2021-24) and finishing tied for third at last year's national event in Saskatoon. The Canadian Amateur boasts an impressive list of past champions, including current PGA Tour players Mackenzie Hughes and Nick Taylor, as well as legends like Richard Zokol, Jim Nelford and Moe Norman. The last Manitoban to win it was Rob McMillan back in 1996. After that, Kuntz will tee it up at the prestigious U.S. Amateur Championship from Aug. 14-17 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. He punched his ticket through a two-stage qualifying process — tying for third on July 2 in Minnesota to advance, then grabbing one of seven final spots after finishing third this past Monday in Kansas City. 'That's going to be a fun way to finish the amateur career,' said Kuntz, who will be one of just a handful of Canadians in the field. Former U.S. Amateur champions include some of the biggest names in golf history: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Bob Jones and Phil Mickelson. 'That's the place that has supported me since I was really young, and now to be able to turn pro and compete in front of the people that have been a part of it for years is really special. I'm really looking forward to it.'–Braxton Kuntz Kuntz had never attempted to qualify for the event before but made it a priority this year. That meant making the tough call to skip a shot at a fifth straight Manitoba Amateur title, which was held last week at Southwood. 'They had split the U.S. Amateur qualifying into two stages. After I got through the first one, you had to pick from a few different sites (for the second) and rank them first to third choice. If I didn't get my first choice, which was Kansas City, I would have had to go to Iowa, which would have been in the middle of the Manitoba Amateur,' he said. Kuntz still had a front-row seat at Southwood, caddying for good friend and fellow Breezy Bend member Allan McDonald, who finished sixth. Evan Nachtigall of Shilo claimed the title by three shots. 'It was a little weird to walk around the golf course and not at least be reaching for a golf club,' Kuntz said, laughing. NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS Braxton Kuntz won a record-setting four straight Manitoba Amateur titles between from 2021 to 2024. NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS Braxton Kuntz won a record-setting four straight Manitoba Amateur titles between from 2021 to 2024. 'I would say I'm happy that I played well this week (at the U.S. Amateur qualifying) because I took the week off to work on my game and am glad that paid off. I feel a lot better about my decision. And I'm super happy for Evan. Such a great guy, such a good player, and I'm really happy for him.' Kuntz, Manitoba's male golfer of the year for four consecutive years, has continued pushing to improve his game. Last fall, he was named to the men's Team Canada NextGen squad, working under national coach and fellow Winnipegger Derek Ingram and utilizing a wealth of resources and training at his disposal, including amateur events around the world. In addition to sharpening his game, Kuntz has been working on the off-course challenge of raising funds. Cory Johnson, the general manager at Breezy, has been assisting in that department as well by trying to drum up local support. 'Pro golf is expensive, right?' said Kuntz. 'I've been trying to meet with a lot of business owners and build some relationships and hopefully secure some funding. So that, when I do turn pro, I can take the steps needed, compete in qualifying schools and make a good career out of it. Obviously some people have very wealthy parents and can fund it through that way, but for the majority of talented golfers, you need a whole host of people and business behind you.' That was certainly the case for Manitoba's top current professional, Aaron Cockerill, who worked his way up from the Canadian Tour with the help of sponsors before breaking through in 2019 on what is now the DP World Tour. The 33-year-old from Stony Mountain has earned more than $3.5 million overseas. 'Pro golf is expensive, right?'–Braxton Kuntz 'I've sent quite a few emails and not heard a whole lot back,' said Kuntz, who can be reached directly at braxtonkun25@ 'It's hard, but it's a slow process. It's not done overnight, but I'm putting the work into it.' A strong showing at the Manitoba Open (Aug. 21-24) could speed up that process. The past three winners — Johnny Keefer, Hayden Springer and Parker Coody — are already playing PGA Tour events. 'Obviously, I'm very familiar with the golf course, but it's shaping up to be a lot tougher than it usually is. They narrowed the fairways and are growing out the rough,' he said. 'It'll be fun to be able to play in front of all those people that I've gotten to know over the years.' Assuming he secures enough sponsorship support, Kuntz plans to enter at least two qualifying schools this fall, with the Korn Ferry Tour (PGA Tour feeder), DP World Tour and Asian Tour all in consideration. 'Doing all three would be chaotic and expensive,' he said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'But if I could pick one or two and get hot at the right time — that's how Aaron Cockerill got on — then hopefully I can get my card. If not, there's a lot of mini-tours I can play on down in the southern U.S., and then hopefully I'll find a place in Phoenix or Florida where I can go and keep myself sharp.' Fortunately, Kuntz has a strong Plan B after an excellent collegiate career. He graduated with a 3.96 GPA in finance and received Ball State's medal of excellence. He also helped lead the Cardinals to a pair of second-place team finishes while being their top scorer. 'My parents always told me academics are just as important as athletics and you gotta have a backup plan. So I put a lot of effort into that as well,' said Kuntz. 'So I come out of school with a good-looking degree, a pretty decent resumé and, in the end, if golf doesn't work out, I can hopefully get an attractive job. But right now I'm fully in on golf. Pretty big next six weeks for me. Two national championships and then my first pro start-up. I'm pretty excited.' X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg Mike McIntyreReporter Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike. Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Steady play, solid putting has veteran Fanning tied for first
Todd Fanning was enjoying a relaxing weekend at the lake when the conversation turned to the 2025 Nott Autocorp Men's Amateur. 'My wife and daughter said, 'So, how much is Braxton going to win by this year?'' Fanning said with a laugh. At that point, he informed them four-time reigning champion Braxton Kuntz wouldn't be in the field, as he's on the cusp of turning professional after completing his studies at Ball State University. Golf Manitoba Photo Todd Fanning is tied with seven other golfers, shooting a three-under 69 on Day 1 of the 2025 Nott Autocorp Men's Amateur on Monday. 'So, who's the favourite then?' came the follow-up. 'I told them, 'I don't know — there's a bunch of people,'' Fanning replied. He probably should have pointed to himself. Not only is Fanning one of Manitoba's most decorated golfers, but he's also the most recent Amateur winner (2014) competing this week, as the 54-hole tournament teed off Monday at Southwood Golf & Country Club. Sure enough, the 57-year-old quickly put himself in contention, joining a group of seven other golfers who opened with a three-under 69 under cloudy, cool and calm conditions. 'If you talk about a custom-made day to golf and look up the recipe, this was it,' he said. 'The only barrier to a good score was self-inflicted so I managed to stay away from most of that today.' Kuntz made history last summer with a fourth consecutive triumph, surpassing the previous record of three straight wins set by Fanning in 1990, 1991 and 1992. However, Fanning still shares the all-time record of five provincial titles with R.J. Reith. Could Fanning make it a historic six — more than 40 years after his first triumph back in 1984? Father Time remains undefeated, and Fanning admits he can't keep up with younger players bombing drives past him — joking that playing partner Jack Rudick hit drives Monday that had 'a Walmart between us.' But smart, steady play and solid putting were keys to his early success. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'I don't feel like there's a whole lot of bogeys out there for me because I don't hit it far enough to get into the deep fescue here,' said Fanning, who plays out of Niakwa. 'I kept it around the hole enough that I didn't put myself in too much trouble.' Eighteen of the 118 golfers broke par on Day 1, which Fanning said speaks to both the depth of amateur talent in Manitoba and the nature of the golf course. 'It's built for wind, so if you don't get wind there's not a whole lot of protection on approach shots here. Guys can hit a lot of greens in regulation and then rely on their putter,' he said. 'They were pretty forgiving (Monday) with the tee positions. If they wanted to, they could certainly do a whole lot of different things (to toughen it up). I'm glad they let the guys have a good Day 1 for sure.' Rudick, a member at Glendale, also shot 69. Joining him and Fanning atop the crowded leaderboard are Payne Wood (St. Boniface), Thomas Scott (Glendale), Doug Penner (Steinbach), Drew Jones and Evan Nachtigall (Shilo), and Josiah Tong (Alberta). Nachtigall rebounded from a sluggish front nine, where he shot two-over 38, with a sizzling five-under 30 on the back. 'On the front I just made some stupid mistake and got away from my game-plan. On the back, I was just like, 'Hey, let's go shoot 30,'' said Nachtigall. Golf Manitoba Photo Todd Fanning is one of Manitoba's most decorated golfers and most recently won the Amateur in 2014. 'There's a lot of birdies out there if you put the ball in play off the tee. If you're hitting the fairway you're pretty much going to have a wedge in most holes or an eight-iron at most.' Although Kuntz dominated this event in recent years, Nachtigall said his absence doesn't change the mindset. 'Golf's a hard game. There's no other sport like it,' said Nachtigall, who was just five shots behind Kuntz through two rounds last year before a final round 80 at Rossmere sunk him to 20th — 15 strokes behind the winner. 'It's me against the golf course, not me against other people. If I just go out and play my game like I did for the last nine holes (Monday) I think I'll be OK.' Four players — Ryan Blair (Elmhurst), Eric Prokopowich (Dauphin), Connor Macauley (no course affiliation) and Jaden Jones (Thunder Bay) — are one shot back after rounds of two-under 70. Notable performances included 2025 Men's Mid-Amateur champion Allan McDonald (Breezy Bend), who shot one-under 71 to sit tied for 13th, and 2025 Junior Boys champion Spence Mott (Shilo), who opened with a seven-over 79. The early leaderboard could have looked even lower. Drew Mahoney (Glendale) was four-under through four holes — starting par, birdie, birdie, eagle — but made six bogeys and eight pars coming home to finish at two-over 74, tied for 28th. Elmhurst's Brent Ingram was four-under through 11 holes but stumbled with a bogey at 12, a triple at 16 after taking an unplayable lie, and another bogey at 17 to finish at one-over 73, tied for 23rd. Southwood's Mitch Clinton, who also serves as the colour analyst on Winnipeg Jets radio broadcasts, made his tournament debut. He was among the early leaders at three-under through five holes but faded to a five-over 77, tied for 45th. Pre-tournament favourite Patrick Perrin (Elmhurst) didn't even get on the course after being disqualified for missing his 7:17 a.m. tee time. The final two rounds will be held Tuesday and Wednesday. X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg Mike McIntyreReporter Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike. Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Chicago Tribune
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Trump nominates new U.S. Attorney for Indiana's Northern District
The White House, on Tuesday, released nominations for national positions, including a new U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana. Adam Mildred, current deputy prosecuting attorney in Allen County, was nominated for the position's four-year term, according to the White House website. Mildred was previously the chief deputy prosecutor in Noble County and has prosecuted more than 200 cases, including trials involving homicide, robbery, drug trafficking and federal firearms offenses, according to U.S. Sen. Jim Banks' website. Mildred has degrees from Ball State University and the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Banks, R-Indiana, addressed Mildred's appointment in a Tuesday statement. Thomas Wheeler II has been nominated as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana for a four-year term. 'President Trump nominated two strong candidates to be the U.S. Attorneys for Indiana,' Banks' statement said. 'Adam Mildred and Tom Wheeler have decades of experience and are deeply committed to upholding law and order. They both will bring integrity to the job and I look forward to voting for their confirmation soon.' Banks also expressed gratitude for Scott Proctor, who Trump named acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana. Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, also released a statement following the nominations. 'Adam Mildred's and Thomas Wheeler's experience and expertise would make them assets to the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana,' Young said. 'I look forward to supporting both individuals through their confirmation process.' In January, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana Clifford D. Johnson resigned via letter to former President Joe Biden, according to Post-Tribune archives. 'It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana,' Johnson said in a previous news release. '… Serving as the Northern District's U.S. Attorney is the capstone of my career in public service.' Typically, when there is a change in party, incoming presidents nominate a new slate of U.S. Attorneys, according to Post-Tribune archives. The U.S. Senate will vote to confirm the nominations at a later date.
Newsweek
30-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Thousands of Smokers To Be Hit With 200% Tax Hike On July 1: What To Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Indiana's cigarette tax is set to triple on July 1, rising from around $1 to $3 per pack, affecting thousands of smokers in the state. Lawmakers approved the measure earlier in 2025 in an effort to address a $2 billion budget deficit, despite vocal opposition from hundreds of Indiana businesses, according to the local news outlet IndyStar. Newsweek contacted the office of Indiana Governor Mike Braun for comment. Why It Matters The dramatic rise in Indiana's cigarette tax, by around 200 percent, puts the state ahead of its neighbors in tobacco pricing, with only Illinois coming close. State leaders projected the change will generate $800 million over two years for Indiana's Medicaid program, addressing a budget shortfall, according to IndyStar. Proponents, including the American Cancer Society and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, hailed the measure as a critical public health and fiscal move. However, convenience store operators and industry representatives cautioned that the surge will impose new financial burdens on lower-income smokers and potentially shift business out of state, risking closures and cuts in jobs. File photo: a man lights a cigarette. File photo: a man lights a cigarette. Owen Humphreys/Press Association via AP What To Know The tax will take effect on July 1, 2025, ramping up the state's cigarette tax to $2.995 per pack, while taxes on cigars, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products will also rise. Indiana's move follows years of proposals that previously stalled in the state Senate, before passing this year with support from lawmakers and Governor Braun. The state's new cigarette tax will surpass that of many of its neighbors starting Tuesday; however, it will still fall short of the tax paid in many other U.S. states. New York, Connecticut, Maryland, and Rhode Island all have cigarette taxes higher than $3.5, according to the American Lung Association, with New York's as high as $5.35. The law will likely have varying impacts on different Americans in the state, Phillip DeCicca, a professor of health economics at Ball State University, Indiana, told Newsweek. "Those who choose to quit smoking, or not start, will likely experience health benefits, but those who continue to smoke will see their real incomes reduced - these tend to be lower-income individuals," he said. DeCicca said that if Indianans start to purchase their cigarettes across the border, in Kentucky, for example, "such behavior would mitigate any potential health benefits." "It seems likely that substituting to vaping, and other forms of nicotine delivery, will be more prevalent, especially among younger smokers," he added. What People Are Saying Phillip DeCicca, a professor of health economics at Ball State University, Indiana, told Newsweek: "On the positive side, it is likely that higher cigarette taxes will lead to less smoking, which is very likely to be beneficial in terms of health. Reductions can come from existing smokers or youth who may not start smoking cigarettes due to the higher taxes. Today, the real question is whether higher cigarette taxes also lead smokers to turn to vaping, though this would still very likely represent 'harm reduction' since the available evidence is that vaping is less harmful than cigarette smoking overall. "On the negative side, we know that most smokers do not quit or cut back much when cigarette taxes increase due to their addictive nature. Smokers tend to have lower incomes than non-smokers so this means that cigarette taxes are highly 'regressive'. In other words, they are taxes that are paid to a greater degree by less well-off people as opposed to, say, a progressive income tax, like the federal income tax." Jonathan Gruber, a professor of economics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, told Newsweek: "70 years after the health damages of smoking first came to public attention, more than 1 in 10 Americans smoke, and it remains the largest preventable cause of death in our country. There is a large body of economic evidence that shows that higher taxes will reduce smoking – particularly among the young and the poor. The downside is that the poor will pay more for cigarettes, stretching their budgets, but that is largely offset by the fact that they will smoke less. If the revenues are used to fund smoking cessation efforts among the poor, which have shown to be effective, this is a great policy opportunity." Indiana Senator Pro Tempore Rodric Bray said in April, according to IndyStar: "Along with revenue comes a really pretty good public policy that was going to help persuade people to either not start smoking or stop smoking at the same time. "We used to think that when you were relatively flush with cash, that's a challenging budget to craft, and maybe harder than when you're short with cash. I'm not sure that I feel that anymore. Trying to come up with a way to fund the budget with a $2 billion shortfall in the official forecast is, frankly, one of the more challenging things I think we've ever done." What Happens Next As of July 1, the new tax will take effect.
