Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, February 15, 2007
(STATEHOUSE) - Lawmakers voted to add 54.5-cents on the cigarette tax to pay for health coverage for the uninsured.
Governor Daniels asked legislators to raise cigarette taxes at least a quarter a pack. After throwing out various numbers as high as a full dollar, House Public Health Chairman Charlie Brown has proposed the hike a penny shy of doubling the current 55.5-cent tax. Brown's committee approved the increase unanimously.
The House Ways and Means Committee must approve the raise by Tuesday before the bill goes to the full House. State Health Commissioner Judith Monroe says the tax hike would be a huge boost to public health even without the insurance, because it would encourage more people to quit.
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