Legislative leaders agree to raise cigarette tax: Rate would increase to 35 cents a pack; additional week needed to finish overdue budget

The longer these cats stay in Raleigh, the more taxes they raise.

A proposal from Berger to cut off legislators' expense allowance of $104 a day if they don't adopt a budget by next Thursday prompted an angry reaction from Basnight.

He argued that legislators haven't had a raise in 11 years and that their low pay keeps potential candidates of modest means from running for office.

"Why don't you just eliminate everything and just let the rich come in here and let the common man go to hell?" he asked.

Later, he said, "Taking per diem away from people who have little money to sustain their lives on and take care of their families is pretty harsh, to me."

The House would not agree to cut off legislators' expense allowances, and Black suggested that members can give them up voluntarily if they wish.

Basnight is wrong on that... It isn't low pay that keeps potential candidates of "modest means" from running for office; it's the high price of campaigns and the length of these sessions that keeps people away. Just my opinion... :-)