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$1 Tax Hike On Cigarettes ProposedA Montgomery lawmaker wants to raise the tax on cigarettes by $1 to offset massive cuts to state budgets. Representative Joe Hubbard (D-Montgomery) says raising the tax from 42 cents to $1.42 would go towards the $238 million dollars the state spends to treat tobacco related illnesses. "It's a user fee, we are asking those who choose to smoke to bear the burden rather those who don't smoke. That dollar a pack would be earmarked for medicaid." Rep. Hubbard says his measure even has the support of US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin who is an Alabama native. "More than one million dollars is being spent on marketing tobacco and they have been very effective" Benjamin said. The bill is now in a house committee. Governor Robert Bentley says he will veto the bill because he doesn't believe taxes should be raised on Alabama families. |
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Anonymous said on Sunday, Apr 15 at 9:46 AM
The notion that the state spends 238 million on tobacco related illness is laughable. The idea of the state using any revenue raised by a new tax to treat tobacco related illness is ludicrous. If a new tax is passed, it would go to the general fund, and be swallowed up by new programs and for more pay hikes for politicians!
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