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Posted on 02/16/2005 11:25:29 AM PST by freepatriot32
The Republican leader of the state Senate said today that an increase in cigarette taxes is an option lawmakers could turn to this session in trying to erase the state's deficit and pass a balanced budget.
"I am certainly open to consideration of an increase in the cigarette tax," Senate President Pro Tem Robert Garton of Columbus said during a weekly meeting with reporters. When asked about the possible range of an increase, he suggested 25 cents to 40 cents per pack.
"I merely mention it. There will be opposition to it. I mention it. I don't want the public surprised if it surfaces at some point," Garton said.
Garton said he had not discussed the idea with Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Robert Meeks, R-LaGrange, said he was opposed to it because it would hurt many retailers in his district in far northeastern Indiana who sell cigarettes.
But Meeks said that seeking new revenue remains on the table as lawmakers try to draft a balanced budget.
Lawmakers raised cigarette taxes from 15.5 cents per pack to 55.5 cents per pack in 2002 to help prop up state spending. Each penny raises about $7 million per year. That means a 25-cent increase could bring in about $175 million in new revenue, and a 40-cent increase could raise $280 million.
Daniels has proposed raising the individual income tax by 1 percentage point for one year on people making more than $100,000 as a way to help erase the state's projected $645 million budget deficit.
Garton said that proposal also remains an option, even though House Republicans did not include it or any other state tax increases in the budget their fiscal leaders have drafted and could present for passage next week.
Meeks said he shared Daniels' goal of eliminating the deficit and passing a balanced budget, but said new revenue sources may be needed to do that and provide adequate funding for government services.
He said one idea was applying the state sales tax to some services. Garton said that was not a viable option this session, but should be considered in the future because of today's service-driven economy.
Although Republicans control both houses of the General Assembly, no final agreement on a budget plan would be likely until April. That's in part because lawmakers will receive a new fiscal forecast that month that predicts how much revenue the state will take in over the next two years.
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Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.
So, you sold out your moral values because you want cheap cigarettes?
Raise the cigarette tax, raise the gasoline tax. Balance the budgets on the backs of smokers and drivers. Just because the GOPers and liberal-demokkkRATs don't understand simple checkbook economics: Don't spend more than you have.
They're doing that to us here in Penna. Every damned one of the SOBs should be recalled or voted out of office. Lowlife scum, all of them.
Pardon my ignorance, but there has been a question that has haunted me for quite some time. Why are there always increases on cigarette taxes proposed at the drop of a hat, and no one ever mentions alcohol tax increases?
Is there something in the law that prohibits it.. or are all the lawmakers just alcheys?
Why increase taxes to fight the deficit. There are other ways.
If increasing taxes is a must, increase tax for meat purchases and ice cream or diary purchases at grocery stores, for leather goods, for liquor and beer, for anything else but cigs. There's enough taxes on this product. Spread the taxes around a little.
Hey lawbreakers, I mean lawmakers.........how about cutting spending??????????????
balancing the budget on the backs of smokers and drivers....gives me an idea.
Raise the taxes on McD's french fries and BK Whoppers and Dairy Queen's banana splits...
oh wait a minute, leave the DQ banana splits alone, please.
maybe the federal should tax non-smokers more since they will end up costing social security more (since they will live longer)?
If cigarettes are that bad, ban them. But they won't ... they want the tax money. Easy taxes for legislators to raise. Bring in a few more slot machines while you're at it.
LOL!
Just thinking: If the government banned cigarettes, it would be easier for me to find pot to smoke than it would for me to find cigs.
Just thinking....and my husband says, that's where the trouble starts, when I start thinking.
In my state the MAD mothers have just about put the bars out of business anyway, If they pass the new law against smoking in bars that should do it. Remember this , the taxs against cigarettes have nothing to do with stopping smoking its about the Money. If cigarettes and drinking are taxed out of business I expect high taxes on Viagra and restaurant food.
taxing Viagra! What an excellent idea!
Because that would amount to double taxation...everybody knows that you can't have a drink without a cigarette : )
Seriously, I think your answer is probably correct. There's been some rumblings here in TX about raising the tax on cigs $1/pack to help support DHS...it's for the che-e-e-ldrun. Sorry, but I don't even know those kids and I sure didn't abuse them...why are they pickin on little ole me?
It's all about the money and to hell with the constituents!
my vote's in, even if I don't live in Ohio.
Done. Twice.
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