North Carolina Senator Pushes for Alcohol, Cigarette
Tax Increase
North Carolina Senate leader Marc Basnight (D-Dare) has introduced
legislation that would increase taxes on beer, wine, and cigarettes
to recoup state costs associated with alcohol, tobacco, and other
drug addiction, WRAL-TV 5 reported June 3.
Critics of the measure said it targets low-income families who
are already financially strapped. "About 40 percent of the
people who use, let's say tobacco, are in the lower-income bracket.
So what we're doing is taxing people because they're the victim
of an addiction. It doesn't make any sense at all," said Rep.
Sam Ellis (R-Wake).
The bill was rejected in the House of Representatives because many
lawmakers signed a pledge not to raise taxes this session.
|
