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A Field Poll earlier this year showed that 70 percent of Californians would support higher liquor or cigarette taxes as an alternative to health care cuts.

Romero's bill would need only a simple majority vote in the Legislature, based on a court case that found that a fee imposed to cover government costs related to a product does not have to be approved by the two-thirds majority needed for tax measures. Republican lawmakers, whose votes are needed for two-thirds majorities, have said they will oppose taxes and fees to cover the budget deficit. Democratic Gov. Gray Davis said he had no position on the bill.