Kudos to the lobbyists and consultants who have managed to bill their Big Tobacco clients in pursuit of a so-called "fairness fee" on tobacco companies, such as Opa-Locka-based Dosal.

But there's a problem. The fee is a tax to Gov. Rick Scott. And he's itching for a veto of the measure if it ever comes out of the Legislature, which is doubtful in and of itself. Still, because the paid advocates insist this is the year for the "fee," we decided to ask Scott if he'd support it.

"I'm not supporting anything that's a tax increase," Scott said. Is the fee a tax? "Yes," he said.