The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
When Del. Patrick Hope brought a bill before the House of Delegates last year seeking to raise Virginia’s cigarette tax, it got “about 15 seconds” of consideration, he said today.
So this year he’s trying again, but with a different strategy.
The Arlington Democrat’s bill, HB160, (full text) would raise the cigarette tax from 30 cents to $1.45 per pack. But instead of directing the proceeds toward the Medicaid program, as last year’s measure did, the current bill would send 92 percent of the new revenue to localities to provide additional relief from the local car tax.
“That’s real money in the pockets of Virginians,” Hope said at a press conference.
Surrounded by representatives of the American Cancer Society and allied groups that support the measure, Hope said it would raise more than $400 million a year and would cut the tax on a $15,000 car by more than half, from $183.75 to $88.20.
He said the measure would also save lives by discouraging smoking, particularly among young people.
Virginia’s current cigarette tax is the second-lowest in the nation.
The bill faces long odds in the current political climate. Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell and the Republican-controlled General Assembly have consistently opposed any new taxes.
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increase taxes
Increase taxes on all alcohol sales regardless of where they are sold.
you cannot pick on one group
that has smaller members to subsidize another that is substantially larger. To be fair raise the FOOD TAX. Everyone eats.
These
leaders don't have a clue, they always gravitate to the "sin" taxes so as to offend the least # of people. Maybe the problem is folks are keeping thier vehicles longer and the tax base is drying up because they are worth less to tax?? DUH!! Maybe if they raised the tax to $4.00 a pack that make the pack cost $10.00 everyone would quit somoking and the $400 million would dry up totally!!. So now you have to make up the car tax, and cigarette tax. Why don't they have a "fat" tax? All fast food joints have a 50% tax for making everyone fat, which probably causes more health issues than smoking. The only problem is if your a fat smoker driving a new car every couple of years I guess you wouldn't be for my plan either?
Since cars and trucks
far outpace smoking as air polluters and health hazards, why not add additional tax on cars and trucks and give that money to smokers? Now THAT'S real money in some peoples pockets. It's about as intelligent as the other way around.
Where in the world do these Democrats come up with such stupid ideas to take one persons money and give it to someone else just to feel good. Is there a special idiot water fountain somewhere that I missed?
If you are going to do that
why don't you just put a luxury tax on Similac, and Little Debbies.
Those seem to be the two most sought after items on the first of the month.
If you are going to do that
why don't you just put a luxury tax on Similac, and Little Debbies.
Those seem to be the two most sought after items on the first of the month.
Real money
Better yet, cut cigarette taxes AND personal property taxes and reduce spending by the same amount. That's real money in the pockets of Virginians to spend as they wish and less money for politicians like Rep Hope to hand out in return for votes.
Stop Spending so Much!
Stop spending so much and there wouldnt be a need to raise any taxes!!
and No, I dont smoke......
Stupid idea
How idiotic can these people be? On hand claiming it will raise $400 million a year but on the other hand saying it will discourage smoking.
If it discourages smoking you will not see $400 million a year.
This is the major fail of these people every time they propose this stupidity. If they want people to stop smoking ban the sale of the product - but of course they won't do that because they rely too much on the tax revenue and their 15minutes of fame for stupid grandstanding such as this.
Finally why should 20% of the population be expected to foot the bill for the other 80%. If he wants to use cigarette taxes to offset the car taxes of smokers only, he might get somewhere.
This man is a true statesman.
This man is a true statesman.