Post by CMF Newsman on May 25, 2007 9:10:07 GMT -5
The Senate Finance Committee voted 9-0-2 in favor of an increase in Tennessee’s cigarette tax, but only 20 cents - not the 40 cents requested by Gov. Phil Bredesen.
Democratic Leader Sen. Jim Kyle said he will push for the full 40 cents when the measure gets to the Senate floor.
He said, “Tennesseans, regardless of political party, understand that our schools need more funding. That’s why you saw overwhelming bipartisan support today for increasing the cigarette tax.
"I applaud the Republican senators that stood with us. But let me be clear, 20 cents won’t do everything the state needs to do. Twenty cents won’t fund the crime bills. Twenty cents won’t fund state employee pay raises and compression. Twenty cents won’t restore the road fund with recurring funds. And 20 cents won’t discourage as many young people from taking up smoking as 40 cents will.
www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_107878.asp
