Cigarette tax debate delayed for a week
The Senate will put off debating a 50-cent per pack cigarette tax for another week, but the bill will take top priority the week of April 28.
Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell said the Senate needs to clear its calendar before a May 1 deadline to send bills to the House.
But McConnell said everyone should be clear that the Senate would debate the bill, and not stall for the session's final weeks as they did last year.
The purpose of the cigarette tax was to help with the burden that smoking causes on society, such as healthcare. It was not to give government a way to balance their budget and spend the money on other state funded programs. This tax is just like the lotto money, it does not go to where it should. The lotto money is supposed to be used for education, but lawmakers think it is just another piggy bank. Cigarette tax should not be raised, lawmakers need to cut programs and raise the money somewhere else. If you change some of the laws on the book, it would free up jail space, and help with the state budget. For one, the marijuana law cost the state a lot of money each year, cost the families and communities for a crime that should not be a crime. Now, there is a bill to make salvia divinorum illegal, and the Office of State Budget says it will not cost anything. Yeah sure, it will not cost the state more money in jails, court cost, law enforcement time from more serious crimes, and others. Just think, adults have the right to choose what is right for them, not government in their own homes.
Posted by: Citizen4Rights | 20 April 2008 at 03:38 PM
Cigarette tax should be raised before the Fed government raises it, along with the cap on sales of vehicles. $300 sales cap on a $50000 or higher vehicles is ridiculous. These people that can afford those vehicles can certainly afford higher sales tax. They should also pay more for gas at the pump, a surcharge, depending on gas mileage of that vehicle based on fed guidelines.
Posted by: CH Mueller | 22 April 2008 at 05:26 AM
C.H.,
You don't seem to have any problem imposing taxes on other people. Why not volunteer to pay higher taxes yourself?
Posted by: Charles Springer | 29 April 2008 at 09:03 AM
C.H.,
You don't seem to have any problem imposing taxes on other people. Why not volunteer to pay higher taxes yourself?
Posted by: Charles Springer | 29 April 2008 at 09:04 AM