Posted on 05/25/2004 10:46:34 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan
House set to reconsider increasing cigarette tax
By AMY F. BAILEY
The Associated Press
5/26/2004, 12:01 a.m. ET
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A proposal to increase the Michigan cigarette tax from $1.25 to $2 a pack as part of a budget-balancing effort is on the move again in the state Legislature.
House leaders said Tuesday that they expected the chamber to vote on the measure during its Wednesday afternoon session.
Last week, the chamber came up 11 votes short of the 55 needed to approve the 75-cent-per-pack increase on all tobacco products to help close deficits in the state budgets for the current and upcoming fiscal years.
The version of the bill that wins approval in the Republican-controlled House probably will be a mix of what was proposed by the House GOP and Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, House Speaker Rick Johnson, R-LeRoy, said Tuesday.
House Republicans proposed last week increasing the tax only on cigarettes, leaving out other tobacco products such as chewing tobacco. But the caucus abandoned the proposal after it appeared not to have support from Granholm, who proposed increasing the tax on all tobacco products.
"It will be pretty much in the middle of the road," Johnson said in a telephone interview.
Greg Bird, spokesman for the state budget office, said members of Granholm's budget team continued to talk with House leaders about a compromise Tuesday afternoon.
Although House Republicans have a 63-46 majority in the 110-member chamber where there is one vacancy, many GOP representatives philosophically disagree with increasing any tax and say they will not vote for this one.
Meanwhile, a number of House Democrats say the increase unfairly affects low-income adults who might have a more difficult time quitting smoking and being able to afford smoking cessation aids.
House Minority Leader Dianne Byrum, D-Onondaga, said she is confident the votes will be there on Wednesday to approve the increase because there is not enough support among members of her caucus to resolve the shortfall through budget cuts.
"I don't think we're there yet, but I think we're close," she said Tuesday afternoon. "I do expect ... at end of the process, we will have the votes for the bill to leave the House."
Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said the governor would be nearby at the time of the House's expected vote Wednesday.
Rep. Gretchen Whitmer of East Lansing, ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said having Granholm close on Wednesday would provide added incentive for Democrats to approve the higher tax.
The tobacco tax increase originally was part of the governor's budget plan for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, but Granholm proposed moving up the effective date to July 1 to provide $97.1 million for the current fiscal year, which has a $250 million shortfall.
"She's very persuasive and is a very strong advocate for the things she believes in and this is a centerpiece of the budget," Whitmer said about Granholm.
Granholm was not in her office in the state Capitol building or in her office across the street when the House voted on the cigarette tax last week.
Ping
Hey they already upped my pack by 80 cents in Chicago!
Call your Rep toll free: 1-800-648-3516
Blast them! The states have imposed extortionist taxes on us already! Give them an ear full!
Sorry...WRONG NUMBER. Dan, do you have the number for the Michigan house?
I hate to say this but I hope "the underground" flourishes in Chicago regarding cigarette ditribution.
How much is a pack of smokes in Michigan ?
Don't blame me, I voted for Posthumus.
Not sure offhand(I only smoke occasional cigars), but I think it's up to almost $4
I don't know the toll free one.
I'm not sure what the tax rate is in CA but a pack of smokes can be $4.65. 7/11 sells cartons of Marlboros for $31.00 + tax when they are on sale. It's for the children ya know ...
I was up to a carton every 4 days until I quit a little over three months ago.
In Cuba they are seven cents a pack.
In Tijuana I can get a carton of Mexican Marlboros for $11.00. Made in Mecho.
I'm sure that you've heard about how all of these lefties who've croaked in recent months have used their obituaries to solicit funds for the Democratic Party.
Well, I suggest that the next funeral of a prominent conservative in MI, if it occurs around the '04 election, be turned into an impromptu campaign rally. We can use the slogan: "I voted for (fill in the blank) posthumously."
Too crass?
What's the limit on how many you can legally bring back to the U.S.?
2 cartons duty free
Meanwhile, a number of House Democrats say the increase unfairly affects low-income adults who might have a more difficult time quitting smoking and being able to afford smoking cessation aids.
Isn't it nice to see the Democrats having feelings for the poor. "Might not be able to afford smoking cessation aids". This takes the cake. If they stop smoking they would have plenty of money to afford the aids. Not that I support the tax increase, which I don't, but once again logic is totally lacking in the Democratic Party.
You are right. A weeks supply of patches for about $23 - Which by the way, are not to be sold to minors. Does that make any sense?
Let's see now, a 17 year old girl can get an abortion on her own but if she wants to buy nicotine patches to quit smoking she has to get an adult to buy them for her.
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