State campaign finance reports show the tobacco industry has contributed over six and a half million dollars in opposition of a ballot issue that would raise cigarette prices to fund technical education.

Representative Mark Mickelson of Sioux Falls, a prime sponsor of the ballot issue, says it shows what the true priorities are…

The money came from Phillip Morris, the company that produces Camel and Marlboro brand cigarettes.

Mickelson says it is another case of an out of state company trying to influence state elections..

Mickelson says the issue is well written, and the money will go where intended…

South Dakota currently has among the highest tech school tuition in the country.