Another $0.25 a pack for Michigan Residents being considered, (boosts tax to $1 dollar)

Local News ^ | 05.23.02 | Registered

[Registered]

Michigan's general fund is expected to face a 350 million dollar deficit in the '02 budget. This year the cigarette tax will bring in about 570 million. 64 percent of this goes to the schools and 25 goes to the general fund. The other 11 percent is split between health care and smoking prevention efforts (pretty big of them eh?).

Now, what in the heck will Michigan do when this tax revenue base dries up from people getting smart and quitting or simply driving across the border to stock up?  We're already the 11th highest in the nation when it comes to the cigarette taxes. 

From State Senator John Schwartz, Republican from Battle Creek:

"Most people don't think twice about raising cigarette taxes.  It's a sin tax"

[Willie Green]

Bwahahahahaha!

Another good reason I'm thankful I got out of Michigan!

[Max McGarrity]

What in the heck will Michigan do when the cash cow goes dry? Why, they'll do what they've done in Kookiefornia. First they'll lie and pat each other on the back crowing about how many smokers they've forced into quitting, then they'll raise taxes on everyone else to make up for the shortfall. Surely no one expects them to cut back on their pork?????

[Revolting cat!]

The more you smoke, the better educated your children! (And that would be true in any state of the onion!) I'll drink to that, eh, I mean smoke!

[timydnuc]

Mr. Max, you speak the absolute truth! They need money for their fix, it's a junky taking from you now. His/her junk is green and it's power. The elitists strike again!

The best thing you can do is to shut them off from their supply. A few years of "cold turkey" will dry them out, and give you back some of that freedom guarenteed by the Constitution.

[Registered]

Thanks for that Willie. Made me feel reaaaaaaaal good.

[shaggy eel]

~

[gubamyster]

Looks like it will cost the DNC a little more to buy the homeless votes next election when they hand out cigs to the bums in Milwaukee.

[Willie Green]

Sorry, nothing personal.
I met a lot of good people and made quite a few friends while I was in Michigan.
It's a shame both political parties are dominated by idiots there.

[GailA]

With your talent you could make up cards that tobacco stores could hand out with the contact info for their customers to call and protest the hike. I've been doing so in Millington, TN..none of the smokers I've given my little plain paper business size cards to want more cig taxes, they want to hike ours 30 cents, attached it to the Income Tax bill.

[Max McGarrity]

GailA, that's something we should ALL be doing, AND telling folks how they can make their own for $8/ctn. Or point them to the reservations if they're not online. Anything to keep our money from going into the pot that gives them the power to demonize us.

[larry h]

I got fed up with the last round of cigarette taxes.... Now I order Smoking Joe's over the Internet from an Indian Reservation. $12.00 a carton (no taxes, period). Eight or more cartons and shipping is free!

[jocko12]

LOOKS LIKE THE BLACK MARKET WILL START UP SOON!!!!

[Looking for Diogenes]

Roll your own cigarettes. Loose tobacco is not taxed at all (except regular sales tax).

[Just another Joe]

PUFF

[Just another Joe]

Now, what in the heck will Michigan do when this tax revenue base dries up from people getting smart and quitting or simply driving across the border to stock up?

Any food that tastes good and has no nutritional value, according to the nannys, is next for the tax.

[Lewite]

Don't worry, the addicts and dopers will pay twenty-five dollars a pack for their fix!

[AmericaUnited]

At this rate, soon cigarettes will cost more than pot.

[jonefab]

We need a link here! No tax Cigs.

[general_re]

(boosts tax to $1 dollar)

I'm sort of glad to see that I'm not the only one who makes that particular slip sometimes ;)

We've still got you beat in NY - $1.50 per pack over here. Two words: Indian reservations.