Gov. hears Calloway concerns Aug 21, 2008
Other topics brought up by parents, teachers, students, local political leaders and others include laws regulating sex offenders, the need for a fair grading scale for high school students seeking state money to go to college, the shipping of Kentucky jobs to Third World or poor and undeveloped countries, the teacher retirement system, casino gambling, and cigarette taxes to pay for health care. However access to affordable health care or health care insurance was the topic brought up most... (Murray Ledger & Times, KY)
Commission: Cut income tax, hike tax on cigarettes Aug 16, 2008
Proponents have pointed out that Mississippi has the highest state-imposed tax on groceries and one of the lowest cigarette taxes. The draft report does not mention the tax on groceries, but says Mississippi's overall sales tax rate is comparable to those in surrounding states. (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal)
Cig-tax hike suggested by Barbour tax panel Aug 16, 2008
Hiking cigarette taxes, adjusting corporate taxes and expanding services that can be taxed are among the recommendations of a committee appointed by Gov. Haley Barbour. Barbours office released a draft report of the committees recommendations today. (The Clarion-Ledger)
State Senate passes Indian tobacco tax Aug 9, 2008
New Yorkers won t be able to avoid the highest cigarette taxes in the country by shopping at Indian reservations if Gov. David Paterson signs a bill given final approval by the state Senate Friday. The measure requiring a cigarette tax on reservation sales, which would include those of the Oneida Indian Nation, already passed the Assembly. (Utica NY Obserer, NY)
Reynolds American to cut jobs through 'business analysis' Aug 7, 2008
As state's face budget shortfalls, they may increase cigarette taxes to help make up the difference. And more states and municipalities are instituting public smoking bans, which could depress sales. (Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area)
S.F. pushes legislation to promote good health Aug 5, 2008
Robin Corelli, a professor at the UCSF School of Pharmacy and an expert in tobacco cessation, said that when it comes to smoking, government can have the most impact by raising cigarette taxes. But limiting where people can smoke and making cigarettes harder to buy may also have a positive health impact, especially in preventing young people from taking up the habit, she said. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Is federal regulation of tobacco necessary? Aug 4, 2008
But heavy-handed federal regulation of tobacco may not be necessary, given the fact that smoking has been on a downward trend because of public education and many states raising their cigarette taxes in recent years. Many House Republicans, in opposing the legislation, expressed legitimate concerns about expanding the federal bureaucracy. (Greenville News)
LETTERS: NCT, Aug. 2, 2008 Aug 3, 2008
"@6:07 PM. Couple of things.One, I'm glad to you are still in close contact with your Mother. I respect that.And tell her, from me, Congrat's on making it to 82! Honestly, I love talking to "old" people, no offense for the word. In fact, I had one woman tell me she was abnormal. I love people with a sense of humor about themselves.As to the McCain question. Who know's what they will do when either of them, Mom or Dad get inside the booth. I honestly can't say.But, like I said, dyed-in-the-wool... (North County Times)
Letters to the editor (July 29) Aug 1, 2008
Arielifan wrote on Jul 30, 2008 6:09 PM:" Here are some of McCain's flip-flops:Heres the list. National Security Policy1. McCain thought Bushs warrantless-wiretap program circumvented the law; now he believes the opposite.2. McCain insisted that everyone, even terrible killers, the worst kind of scum of humanity, and detainees at Guantanamo Bay, deserve to have some adjudication of their cases, even if that means releasing some of them. McCain now believes the opposite.3. He opposed indefinite... (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
State fiscal crisis may hit teachers Jul 30, 2008
The Atlanta-based budget think tank also recommended lawmakers look at raising cigarette taxes, reducing or eliminating property tax grants first approved in the late 1990s, eliminating or reducing the pay raises, and eliminating the special-interest tax breaks legislators approved during the 2008 session. Hill said a special session would be needed if lawmakers choose to delay the tax cuts. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg to fund anti-smoking campaign Jul 24, 2008
During his administration, New York has adopted several anti-smoking measures, including a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants, and significant increases in cigarette taxes. His foundation gave $2 million to the WHO to underwrite its tobacco report. (International Herald Tribune)
Report: Invest $10 a person for better health Jul 22, 2008
As for tobacco, when New Yorkers started paying the nation's highest cigarette taxes this month, officials estimated that 140,000 eventually would stop smoking. U.S. spending on prevention programs has been stagnant for about four years. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
State tax revenues up 5.8 percent but officials see slowdown coming Jul 18, 2008
Businesses have predicted fallout from new corporate and cigarette taxes they said would discourage new investments and cost jobs. Budget analysts called the latest revenue figures worrisome. (Belmont Citizen Herald, MA)
2 arrested in C.F. burglary Jul 17, 2008
Citizen 001 wrote on Jul 15, 2008 1:02 PM:" The same liquor store robbed twice in Waterloo, now Cedar Falls residents follow suite... Seems to me that high gas prices & high cigarette taxes are motivating SOMEONE to do SOMETHING about it... Wish they would have picketed instead of picking the pockets of local business people. I sure wouldn't want to work in one of those places.. ". ozymandias wrote on Jul 15, 2008 1:56 PM:" Heh, first major crime committed by CF residents in a long time. For... (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
CCH Says, for Many Consumers, Taxes up the Price Jul 15, 2008
Annual CCH Survey of Gas, Sales and Cigarette Taxes RIVERWOODS, Ill ... Cigarette Taxes Vary But Continue Upward The greatest variation among the states is seen in cigarette taxes ... It also pays to buy cigarettes in Virginia rather than Washington, D.C. as cigarette taxes are 70 cents per pack lower in the Old Dominion state than in the nation's capitol. (PR Newswire)
Lawmakers hope for compromise to avoid Medicaid cutbacks Jul 15, 2008
She said SB 2013 is the best long-term solution to come before the Legislature thus far, but also believes that higher cigarette taxes are inevitable. But there must be an agreeable meeting of the minds, Currie said. (Brookhaven Daily Leader, MS)
Statehouse Roundup -- Pre-holiday happenings Jul 13, 2008
Earlier in the week, the Legislature hot-potatoed to Patrick the $1-per-pack increase on cigarette taxes pegged at $175 million this year. Anyone who ever fetched Gram her Kent IIIs knows this is not a tax hike that will land soundlessly. (Scituate Mariner, MA)
Obama a flip-flopper? Jul 13, 2008
In 1998, he championed raising cigarette taxes to fund programs to cut underage smoking, insisting that it would prevent illnesses and provide resources for public health programs. Now, McCain opposes a $0. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Lawmakers on hiatus until Aug. 4 Jul 4, 2008
The sessions 12th day ended Thursday with no resolution between Barbour and Senate leaders who want to tax hospitals and House leaders who prefer hiking cigarette taxes, or a combination of both. The session has cost taxpayers $547,974 so far. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Legislature OKs $482M corporate tax bill Jul 3, 2008
On the hunt for new revenues to keep pace with state spending needs, the Legislature on Tuesday approved legislation that will pull $482 million from corporations next year, in addition to $175 million a year in new cigarette taxes approved Monday, and start delivering smaller amounts of corporate excise tax relief over three years, beginning in 2010, to businesses and financial institutions. The legislation produced by a conference committee will institute combined reporting and check the box... (Belmont Citizen Herald, MA)
Clouds of smoke around the law's intentions Jul 2, 2008
This is true: Raising cigarette taxes tends to make people quit at higher rates and smoke at lower ones. But the real reason that politicians get so gaga over cigarette taxes is simple:genuinely support such policy as a matter of public health - but nothing brings out the altruistic side of state pols like the prospect of extra cash. (Daily Iowan, IA)
Stalemate over Medicaid: Lt. gov. blocks tobacco-tax move Jun 27, 2008
The chances of increasing cigarette taxes to pay for Medicaid grew slimmer after Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant ruled against a Democrat-led attempt to consider the hike in a special session that resumed Thursday ... House leaders who prefer increasing cigarette taxes spent much of Thursday strategizing their next move, and that could include a second attempt at a modest increase in hospital and tobacco taxes ... But before the break, most Senate Democrats signed on to a bill hiking cigarette taxes. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Sound Off - June 25, 2008 Jun 26, 2008
Medicaid mess: Raising cigarette taxes is a short fix. If everyone quit smoking, where would the money come from. (Greenville Delta Democrat Times, MS)
Drink tax called a fine idea Jun 22, 2008
What is more, he argues, many of those places not only have drink and car rental taxes, but they also have other revenue sources-- including personal income, business, and cigarette taxes at their disposal-- in addition to the property tax revenue, which is the only revenue stream he has had available for years. It's a Pennsylvania problem, said David Miller, associate dean of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Hospital group refuses to offer budgeting ideas Jun 18, 2008
Other health-care providers may follow the lead of the MHA, a group that supports a hospital tax but prefers hiking cigarette taxes to provide a long-term funding solution for Medicaid ... Lawmakers agreed to recess two weeks ago after it became evident Barbour and key House leaders, who favor hiking cigarette taxes, were unwilling to budge. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Like the mayor of a small city Jun 18, 2008
Parks are "user/pay places." Users pay, and that helps the upkeep and maintenance along with the general fund and cigarette taxes, used for improvements. On a non-typical day for Jim, he might be visiting another state park in Indiana. (Carmi Times, IL)
NY health official: Higher tax helps smokers quit Jun 16, 2008
New York smokers have been sent outside in all kinds of weather, coughed at in disdain, and now they are burdened with the most expensive cigarette taxes in the nation. Now, to add cost to injury, the state is declaring its highest-in-the-nation cigarette tax a success. (Anchorage Daily News)
When Are Cigarette Taxes Too High? Jun 8, 2008
When Are Cigarette Taxes Too High ... When Are Cigarette Taxes Too High. (Time.com)
Taxpayers Take Hit From Untaxed Tribal Cigarette Sales Jun 5, 2008
By all accounts he amassed a large fortune by evading cigarette taxes through black market sales over the Internet and sales to non-tribal members without tax-stamps. This is in direct violation of federal and state laws. (Suffolk Life Newspapers, NY)
House tailors budget that hems in taxes Jun 5, 2008
Easley has proposed a 7 percent pay raise for teachers, but he wants to raise cigarette taxes to do it. Senate leaders, like the House, have shown no interest in raising taxes. (News & Observer)
Another Reason to Quit Smoking Jun 4, 2008
The last time New York raised cigarette taxes from $1. 11 to $1. (WOKR13 Rochester)
N.Y. Smokers Face Highest Tax In Nation Jun 4, 2008
New Yorkers start paying the highest cigarette taxes in the nation with the latest $1 ... (AP) New Yorkers start paying the highest cigarette taxes in the nation Tuesday with the latest $1 ... Cigarette taxes will raise a total of $1. (CBS News -- US)
BAT urges Govt to consider gradual hike in cigarette taxes Jun 2, 2008
Web search enhanced by. KUANTAN: British American Tobacco (M) Bhd (BAT) is asking the Government to consider a more gradual increase in excise duty on cigarettes in future to discourage the smuggling of illicit cigarettes. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
Hospital, cigarette taxes fail in House May 31, 2008
5/31/2008 6:20:57 AMDaily Journal. BY BOBBY HARRISONDaily Journal Jackson Bureau. (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal)
Medicaid funding plan fails in House May 30, 2008
JACKSON - The House leadership was unable late Thursday night to pass its proposal to increase cigarette taxes by 78 cents per pack to $1 and to pass half of the amount of the hospital tax approved Wednesday by the Senate. The defeated proposal also included a one cent tax on liquor and wine. (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal)
Most area lawmakers likely to back new Medicaid fund plan May 29, 2008
" Currie said KDMC and Lawrence County Hospital would not suffer under the proposal and hinted the two institutions might actually come out ahead. Other hospitals in the state - those with a low volume of Medicaid patients - may not fare so well, she said. With the proposal in place and working for local hospitals, Currie said any future enactment of a tobacco tax increase could be used for other improvements in the state. "Because of this new plan, if we raise cigarette taxes next year it would... (Brookhaven Daily Leader, MS)
Smith, Merkley make health care the first salvo in heated Senate race May 28, 2008
He then pivoted into an attack on how Merkley handled a bill in the 2007 Legislature that sought to raise cigarette taxes by 84 ... After failing to get enough Republican votes to enact the tax increase, Merkley got a bill out of the Legislature that asked voters to approve a constitutional amendment increasing cigarette taxes. (OregonLive, OR -- News)
'Porn tax' shows how bad state's budget is May 26, 2008
Few would argue that smoking does not have an effect on public health, and when cigarette taxes were first proposed, paying for health programs aimed at smoking was the way they were sold. Over time, that focus has wavered a bit, and plenty of cigarette taxes now pay for programs with a dubious connection, such as after-school activities for youngsters. (Modesto Bee, CA)
BUTTLEGGERS' BOOTY May 23, 2008
5 percent when Mike hiked cigarette taxes to 1. 50 a pack. (New York Post -- Opinions)
QUIT SMOKING: Social contacts are major motivators May 22, 2008
He found a "huge shift" in smoking habits in the late 1980s and early 1990s, more than a decade before cities and states began substantially raising cigarette taxes and banning indoor smoking. Last year, the same researchers found that people are more likely to put on pounds if their friends and relatives gained weight. (USA Today)
Special session: Debates reopening May 21, 2008
A solution stalled after Barbour and Senate leaders rejected a House plan to hike cigarette taxes, instead relying on a hospital tax proposal that eventually died. Special sessions cost nearly $59,895 the first day and about $39,420 for following days, according to legislative officials. (The Clarion-Ledger)
McCain's Veepstakes: Maybe Mitch? May 15, 2008
If there is any criticism from conservatives on the Daniels Administration s tax and spending agenda, it comes from his successful push for increases in sales and cigarette taxes as he was overseeing the cuts in the property tax and the accompanying caps ... We have the second highest rate of smoking, and one of the lowest cigarette taxes. (Human Events Online)
Colorado sales tax collections lag forecast May 14, 2008
Cigarette taxes were below forecast at $3. 1 million, down from the anticipated $3. (Denver Business Journal, CO)
ONE LESS BUTTLEGGER May 11, 2008
The margins, thanks to New York's heavy cigarette taxes, are simply staggering: The report estimates that the reservation dealer, smuggler and retailer - the latter two typically from the same family-based network - split a profit of 39 for every carton of illicit smokes sold in the city. Morrison, indeed, offered to post 56 million in bail upon his arrest in 2004. (New York Post -- Opinions)
Sanford: Cigarette tax shouldn't grow government May 9, 2008
"In the business world or in home finances, it would be foolish to take on a new expense that you expected to grow year after year with a source of income that you at best expected to stay the same or fall. Many people have argued that raising cigarette taxes will lower the number of smokers, which means you'd have financial shortfalls in the future in paying for Medicaid. We continue to believe that money from a cigarette tax increase would best be used to provide meaningful and long-lasting... (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
LIGHTING UP NY CRIME: HIGH COST OF CIG TAX May 5, 2008
Instead of recognizing that outrageously high cigarette taxes in New York encourage and promote the smuggling industry, King instead complains that the problem is a result of the state not collecting those taxes. How much evidence is needed to show that, when the cost of goods exceeds what people are willing to pay, they look elsewhere. (New York Post -- Opinions)
Tobacco and Terror May 5, 2008
One one point in the interview, the mafioso said that he personally wanted to THANK the City and State of New York for raising cigarette taxes so damned high. Nachman asked him why, and he replied that the taxes were so outrageously high that it made it profitable and lucrative to buy cheap cigarettes in the South and smuggle them into NYC. The LAST thing this mafioso wanted was for taxes to be lowered to a sane level. (Human Events Online)
Lawmakers end session with deep cuts in final budget May 3, 2008
Democrats blasted the wide-ranging cuts, with some suggesting the Republican-dominated Legislature should have taken steps such as closing tax exemptions or raising cigarette taxes to bring in more money. "There is a tremendous amount of pain in this budget," said Senate Minority Leader Steve Geller, D-Cooper City. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
American Cancer Society report details cancer prevention efforts Apr 22, 2008
Although 43 states and the District of Columbia have increased their cigarette taxes since 2000, only 23 states have laws requiring that a portion of their excise taxes be dedicated to health, cancer control, or tobacco control programs. In 2008, states allocated a total of $717. (EurekAlert!)
Will cigarette tax benefit Oneidas? Apr 21, 2008
The state s 2008-09 budget included $150 million in revenue for the collection of cigarette taxes from Indian-owned businesses ... Earlier cigarette taxes, along with other anti-smoking measures, made that possible, he said. (Utica NY Obserer, NY)
Dollars And Cents: The Budget Lands Apr 18, 2008
Friday April 18, 2008. (Department of the Budget) Parentheses indicate negative amounts. (Queens Chronicle, NY)
House's $28b budget banks on new taxes, program cuts Apr 17, 2008
House leaders issued a $28 billion budget proposal yesterday that includes new corporate and cigarette taxes and a handful of budget cuts that drew the ire of some social service advocacy groups, who said the budget was being balanced on their backs ... The House voted last week to raise $392 million by tightening corporate income tax rules and boosting cigarette taxes by $1 a pack, a major political victory for the governor, who has been seeking corporate tax changes since he took office. (Boston Globe)
Lawmakers still grappling with how to fund Medicaid Apr 17, 2008
The House wants to raise cigarette taxes. The Senate wants to impose a new tax on hospitals. (Columbus Commercial Dispatch, MS)
State could lose $9 million in cigarette taxes Apr 17, 2008
Looking at those other states, Iowa officials expect the ban to reduce cigarette sales by about 4 percent, which would cost retailers $31 million per year, and cost the state roughly $9 million in lost cigarette taxes. Dan Gearino can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or dan. (Ames Daily Tribune, IA)
House budget trims Patrick's plan Apr 16, 2008
The House voted last week to raise $392 million in corporate and cigarette taxes, a major political victory for the governor, who has been seeking corporate tax changes since he took office. The House also plans to go along with the governor's plans to spend $10 million on homelessness programs; raise $51 million by increasing state employee healthcare contributions; and raise $166 million in additional taxes and increased enforcement of tax collections. (Boston Globe)
UPDATE: Culver signs smoking ban into law Apr 16, 2008
Looking at those other states, Iowa officials expect the ban to reduce cigarette sales by about 4 percent, which would cost retailers 31 million per year, and cost the state roughly 9 million in lost cigarette taxes. Many Iowa bar owners fought the ban, which they said would drive them out of business. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Policy Points: The politics of tough choices during tough fiscal times Apr 16, 2008
With some exceptions, the quartet singled out increases in the gas and cigarette taxes, the closing of corporate tax "loopholes" and toll rates as potential revenue generators for Beacon Hill and government leaders who are searching for new funds to keep pace with upward state spending trends and demands. Trimarco pressed for tolls and taxes to be addressed by Democrats on Beacon Hill and criticized the party as being intimidated by unions and other groups. (Belmont Citizen Herald, MA)
Auto title, registration fee hikes proposed; trucks charged like cars Apr 15, 2008
rusty boy wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:39 PM:" Fellow citizens of Iowa - What is going here. Everyday it is something new that is being increased; car titles, school option tax, gas prices, cigarette taxes, etc. When is it going to end and what are these politicians thinking? We are in a recession and I am not going it take it anymore. Something needs to be done. Help us taxpayers of Iowa. We are middle class folks just trying to get by and make ends meet not Rockefellers. ". Kris wrote on Apr 11,... (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Modest spending cuts may be put to test Apr 12, 2008
With the House voting Thursday to raise $392 million in corporate and cigarette taxes, spending reductions would probably be the next step if a recession takes its toll and state revenues come up short of current projections and widen an expected $1. 3 billion budget gap, officials say. (Boston Globe)
City budget up 3.4 percent: conservation administrator, additional police officer, senior van among mayors proposals Apr 11, 2008
Dolan said the state budget has a $700 million structural deficit a situation where government spending levels exceed existing tax levels with increased cigarette taxes the only proposed new revenue after the House s defeat of Gov. Deval Patrick s bill to license three casinos in Massachusetts. Their figures are based upon a new growth figure, a capital gains figure and a sales tax figure that are not, by any stretch of the imagination, going to be met this year, he said. (Melrose Free Press, MA)
Higher state taxes on smokes may lead to increased smuggling Apr 11, 2008
The Original JD wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:05 PM:" What are the anti-smoking lot going to do when the revenue from cigarette taxes are gone, and the government starts looking at them to make up the astronomical difference? There is a breaking point with taxes that when reached has the opposite affect of increasing revenue. With the cost of living climbing higher and higher, that breaking point gets lower and lower. The end result is the non-smokers end up paying increased taxes ontop of the... (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Higher Cig Taxes Could Promote Smuggling Apr 11, 2008
With States Raising Cigarette Taxes To Balance Budgets, Smuggling Is Certain To Increase. NEW YORK, Apr. (CBS News -- US)
House, Senateprepare to battleover state budget Apr 10, 2008
To try to bring in more money and prevent budget cuts, Democrats floated proposals Wednesday to take steps such as increasing cigarette taxes or closing what they described as corporate-tax loopholes. But Republican leaders reiterated their opposition to raising taxes. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
Medicaid bill clears House committee Apr 10, 2008
The bill would increase cigarette taxes by $1 per pack and sales taxes on alcohol by 1 percent. It would not apply to beer. (The Clarion-Ledger)
A screening that would save lives Apr 7, 2008
Last November she filed legislation to establish the nation's first Lung Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Research Fund, using money from existing cigarette taxes to pay for screening for high-risk people and to research the incidence of this disease ... 8 percent of all the revenue it gets from cigarette taxes and tobacco settlements to reduce tobacco use. (Boston Globe)
