|
|
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
|
Pawlenty calls for 75-cent fee on cigarettes
|
|---|
| Parent(s) |
Candidate
|
| Contributor | Eric |
| Last Edited | Eric May 20, 2005 10:38pm |
| Logged |
0
|
| Category | News |
| Media | Newspaper - Star Tribune, The (Minneapolis - St. Paul) |
| News Date | Saturday, May 21, 2005 04:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | After months of saying he would not agree to any statewide tax increases, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday said he would break the budget stalemate with a proposal to increase the cost of cigarettes by 75 cents a pack, with the money going to health care and schools.
The "Health Impact Fee," as he dubbed it, would generate an extra $380 million for the 2006-07 budget, allowing for a 9 percent increase in K-12 spending over that time.
"I believe it's a user fee," Pawlenty said at a news conference. "Some will say it's a tax. I'm going to say it's a compromise."
The offer is also a bit of a double-edged sword for DFLers. It's contingent on DFLers giving in to Pawlenty on two of four controversial measures: a ban on school-year teacher strikes; an as-yet-unidentified school choice measure; initiative and referendum, which would allow voters to make or repeal laws; and the state-tribal casino/racino partnership, which has failed to gain support in the House or the Senate. |
| Share |
|
|
2¢
|
|
| Article | Read Full Article |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
|
