Governor Wants $1 Billion Spending Hike
New taxes on smokers, drinkers to cover part of bill
RALEIGH (Carolina Journal Online) – Gov. Mike Easley’s last budget plan would increase state spending by another $1 billion a year, calling on smokers and drinkers to foot part of the bill. That’s according to an analysis from the John Locke Foundation.
“The governor believes government programs are designed to care for the people least able to care for themselves — unless those people happen to smoke or drink,” said Joseph Coletti, JLF Fiscal Policy Analyst. “Tax hikes on cigarettes, beer, fortified wine, and spirits would ensure that people who engage in legal activities the governor doesn’t like would end up paying a disproportionate amount for government programs he does like.”
The new budget would spend $21.4 billion in the 2008-2009 budget year, which starts July 1. The governor says $66 million in new alcohol taxes would pay most of the bill for $76 million in improvements to the state mental health system. He also contends the $99 million expected from a 20-cent-per-pack increase in the state cigarette tax would fund education improvements.
RALEIGH (Carolina Journal Online) – Gov. Mike Easley’s last budget plan would increase state spending by another $1 billion a year, calling on smokers and drinkers to foot part of the bill. That’s according to an analysis from the John Locke Foundation.
“The governor believes government programs are designed to care for the people least able to care for themselves — unless those people happen to smoke or drink,” said Joseph Coletti, JLF Fiscal Policy Analyst. “Tax hikes on cigarettes, beer, fortified wine, and spirits would ensure that people who engage in legal activities the governor doesn’t like would end up paying a disproportionate amount for government programs he does like.”
The new budget would spend $21.4 billion in the 2008-2009 budget year, which starts July 1. The governor says $66 million in new alcohol taxes would pay most of the bill for $76 million in improvements to the state mental health system. He also contends the $99 million expected from a 20-cent-per-pack increase in the state cigarette tax would fund education improvements.
posted by BP News Bureau | 9:30 AM
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