Thursday, March 4, 2010

Senate Passes Cigarette Tax

The Senate just voted 25-15 to pass a 75-cent tax increase on each pack of cigarettes.

Because the Finance Committee added an amendment -- to earmark part of revenue to early childhood programs -- it must go back to the House for concurrence.

It was almost a party-line vote with most Democrats voting yes and most Republicans voting no.

Democrats Phil Griego and Tim Eichenberg voted with Republicans against the bill, while Republican Sue Wilson Beffort voted with the Democrats for the bill.