Governor to propose tobacco tax hike

[ccharles000]

TOPEKA — Gov. Mark Parkinson will propose increasing Kansas' tobacco taxes next year, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.

The Democratic governor's plan is likely to face strong opposition in the Republican-controlled Legislature, although the Senate's top leader said he would support the idea.

Parkinson spokeswoman Beth Martino said the governor hasn't settled on how much of an increase he will propose. But she hinted that he's considering asking legislators to bring Kansas' cigarette tax up to the national average.

Kansas' cigarette tax is 79 cents a pack. The national average for states and the District of Columbia is $1.34 a pack, according to the Washington-based group Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

"He is going to pursue a tobacco tax of some sort," Martino said. "He is still looking at the options."

Martino said Parkinson has not decided whether to ask legislators to dedicate the new revenue to health programs, or use it to help the state balance its budget for fiscal 2011, which begins July 1.

http://www.kansas.com/news/legislature/story/1111172.html

[virgogal]

1. In Massachusetts it's $2.51 so most smokers buy them elsewhere.

[tulsakatz]

2. that's not new in this part of the country.........

...here in Oklahoma, it's the first thing that gets taxed! Anytime they want to raise more money, they alway tax alcohol and cigarettes first! They call it the sin tax.......