California speaker proposes $3 cigarette tax

San Jose Mercury News ^ | Aug. 06, 2002 | AP

[Schatze]

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson proposed Tuesday to abandon a plan to raise California's car tax and instead increase cigarette taxes to $3 a pack -- the highest in the nation.

"This tax is a voluntary tax. If you don't smoke, you don't pay the tax," said Wesson, D-Culver City.

[cinFLA]

Well at least so far the Republicans are holding tight and the democrats are the ones making the concessions. I hope they keep holding out.

On the last budget, Davis peeled off four republicans not in the leadership. Two did not run for re-election and the other two were defeated. So far he has peeled off 2 but needs 2 more. Not looking good for Davis and his budget.

[Thisiswhoweare]

Greed. I saw on Fox today some yahoos want to put a 10 cent tax per espresso in WA. To pay for child care for families that can't afford it. opponents said, "Why should the few folks that buy coffee be forced to pay more taxes than others?"

As a smoker, that's my question on the taxes, higher life insurance, etc. Supposedly, the original tobacco settlement was to reimburse states for the medical costs that smoking illness treatment caused. Instead, they seem to be saying, " If you smoke, you brought illness on yourself and on your way out help others by spending all money you would have otherwise left to your family on lawyers and state budgets."

They limit where you can smoke, some shun you if you do. Somehow, I remember the complaints when they taxed SS and ended up having to refund millions.

It's time the states and feds have to suffer the budget shortfalls and live within their means like the rest. Develop positive ways to produce new revenue and quit living off a few!

This affects smoker's today and coffe drinker's tomorrow and maybe you next...

[Paulus Invictus]

Economics! You must be joking! The pols at every level of government (especially RATS) have never had, and will never have the slightest understanding of economics. Just keep in mind SS and the US Tax Code. Neither are related to economics except as bad examples of how to totally screw up people's lives and ruin the economy.

[Jesse]

By his reasoning, all taxes are voluntary...

Democrats aren't the only ones who pull this crap. Here in Montana, our so called Republican Governor, who ran on a pledge of no new taxes, floated a 2% gross proceeds "fee" on all medical providers in the state. In a letter she said that this would be a "voluntary" fee...in the sense that, if you don't provide medical services, you wouldn't pay the fee. And it was a fee, mind you, not a tax.

Anyway, I hope this goes through. Making it mighty tempting to go into the smuggling business. Anybody have a big motor home I can gut out for sale, cheap?

[Schatze]

If you smoke, you brought illness on yourself ...

Funny, I never hear the pols proposing increased taxes on those who've contracted AIDS through risky sexual behavior or intravenous drug use. I guess the powers that be approve of those activities.

[finnman69]

What would that make a pack in CA? It's up to $7.50 here in NYC.

[Schatze]

Somewhere north of $8.00 per pack. Bloomberg did it first, and you know how politicians are: Monkey see, monkey do.

[johnb838]

How about a homosexual act tax?

[Thisiswhoweare]

Good point. Thanks for widening the issue!

[Schatze]

Indeed. But then, they don't need to understand ecomonics as long as they understand that by offending the fewest voters, the pols' chances for re-election won't be damaged. That's the Demonrats' strategy -- always has been, always will be (along with class warfare, which has worked for them for decades).

[johnb838]

But thats PC you see...

AIDS and HV/C - PC
Lung cancer and heart disease -- not PC

[SowellRocks]

"This tax is a voluntary tax. If you don't smoke, you don't pay the tax," said Wesson, D-Culver City.

This has to be one of the most hypocritical statements I have ever read. When these anti-smoking fanatics were bringing their lawsuits and demonizing the tobacco companies, they were telling everyone how the smokers were not responsible for their actions, because they were hooked on a drug more addictive than heroin. It was Big Tobacco's fault that people smoke. Now, anyone who doesn't want to pay these taxes should just quit. I guess these fascists have decided that tobacco isn't that addictive afterall, and that it is the individual's choice to smoke.

It's all about money and power over other people's lives. That is all these leftist fascists care about.

[cajun-jack]

i'm a trucker and even in the middle 80's we would always stop and buy smokes in AZ before crossing into california....they were much cheaper in Az then and still are cheaper in La. than in either state....when i go to NC i stock up for me and my friends, but mostly just log on to www.yessmoke.com and buy marlboro's for 15 bucks a carton....are you liteneing new york? buy your cigs on the web...and vote the hildabeast into oblivion!!!!!(neither will probably happen though)

[NEWwoman]

The people that are hit the hardest by this tax are: the poor on welfare, the working poor, blue collar workers, the working class-- all good people that the demonRats say that care so much about.

[A. Morgan]

Geee... here in Chicago there also $50 a carton!

[EggsAckley]

How about sharing your source? We get ours from a reservation but they're $30.00. Could use a cheaper supplier.

As a matter of fact, perhaps a campaign to get the word out where to buy cheap smokes would shut Wesson up. They raise the tax $3.00, EVERYONE in California buys elsewhere.

[A. Morgan]

How about a tax on lawyers?

[Schatze]

Yeah, these people are great at talking out of both sides of their mouths.

I barf in their general direction.

[Wolfstar]

Someone posted a thread here on FR the other day about "the coming World War." I figure it started on 9/11/01, and the first big mistake the enemy made was missing the Capitol while the House and Senate were in session! [This sardonic commentary brought to you courtesy of a sick-of-taxes, let's-put-all-the-politicians-on-the-front-lines Wolfstar mood.]

[CA Conservative]

As a smoker, that's my question on the taxes, higher life insurance, etc.

While I might agree with you about the taxes, I have no problem with smokers being charged higher rates for health and life insurance, any more than I would have a problem with drunk drivers being charged more for auto insurance, or sky divers and mountain climbers paying higher premiums (or having claims from these activities excluded), etc.

You have a right to take chances with your life and health - you just don't have the right to ask me to shoulder the cost of your choices.