A BILL THAT WOULD “UP” THE TAX ON CIGARETTES BY A DOLLAR-50 IS APPROVED BY THE STATE SENATE ON A 24-16 VOTE YESTERDAY (WED). THE MEASURE IS SPONSORED BY DEMOCRATIC SENATOR HOWIE MORALES, WHO TELLS US THE REVENUE FROM THE TAX … ABOUT 89 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR … WOULD GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOL BUDGETS THAT ARE SUFFERING AND POISED FOR MORE CUTS.
SCHOOLS ARE BEING ASKING THEM TO TAKE ANOTHER FIVE TO 7 PERCENT IN BUDGET CUTS.
UNDER THE LEGISLATION, THE TAX ON A PACK OF CIGARETTES WOULD RAISE THE COST OF CIGARETTES FROM A-DOLLAR-66 TO 3-DOLLARS-16 CENTS. TAXES ON OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS WOULD ALSO BE RAISED. GOVERNOR
