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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Monkeyleg on January 24, 2007, 12:58:15 PM

Title: Arrrrghhh! WI governor proposes cigarette tax increase, smoking ban
Post by: Monkeyleg on January 24, 2007, 12:58:15 PM

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle who, during his campaign, promised not to raise taxes, has apparently changed his mind. He's proposing raising taxes on cigarettes from the current 77 cents a pack to $2.02. That will increase the price of cigarettes here by almost 32%.

Additionally, he's proposing a statewide smoking ban in all public places, including bars and restaurants. (I'm betting that he'll exempt the indian casinos, since they donated heavily to his campaign).

God, how I hate this state.

Title: Re: Arrrrghhh! WI governor proposes cigarette tax increase, smoking ban
Post by: Brad Johnson on January 24, 2007, 01:02:45 PM

Quote

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle who, during his campaign, promised not to raise taxes, has apparently changed his mind. He's proposing raising taxes on cigarettes from the current 77 cents a pack to $2.02. That will increase the price of cigarettes here by almost 32%.

Additionally, he's proposing a statewide smoking ban in all public places, including bars and restaurants. (I'm betting that he'll exempt the indian casinos, since they donated heavily to his campaign).

God, how I hate this state.

We just had a $1 a pack hike in Texas.

Slight correction in the numbers.  Going from a per-pack tax of $0.77 to $2.02 is a 162% increase in the tax alone!  Yeesh.  Next thing you know they'll tax air.

Brad

Title: Re: Arrrrghhh! WI governor proposes cigarette tax increase, smoking ban
Post by: The Rabbi on January 24, 2007, 01:14:49 PM

Ya mean, Jim Doyle lied?
Besides, raising taxes on cigarettes isnt raising taxes.  Raising taxes would be on productive, law abiding citizens, and we all know smokers are basically baby killers.

Title: Re: Arrrrghhh! WI governor proposes cigarette tax increase, smoking ban
Post by: Monkeyleg on January 24, 2007, 01:18:18 PM

Rabbi, unbelievable as it may sound, yes, Doyle lied. He lied about the budget deficit during his campaign, and said that the budget was balanced. Well, now he admits the budget is in the red by $2.6 billion.

Ooops!

"Next thing you know they'll tax air."

Brad, this is Wisconsin. Don't give the politicians any new ideas. We're #7 on the list of states that have the highest tax burden as a percentage of income. The cigarette tax could push us to #6 or even #5.

Title: Re: Arrrrghhh! WI governor proposes cigarette tax increase, smoking ban
Post by: BozemanMT on January 24, 2007, 03:37:25 PM

oh well
say bye bye to your economy

heck, just imagine what the taxes would be if it was illegal?

 

Title: Re: Arrrrghhh! WI governor proposes cigarette tax increase, smoking ban
Post by: Standing Wolf on January 24, 2007, 03:50:30 PM

It's all about control.

Title: Re: Arrrrghhh! WI governor proposes cigarette tax increase, smoking ban
Post by: The Rabbi on January 24, 2007, 05:14:05 PM

Quote from: Monkeyleg on January 24, 2007, 12:18:18 PM

Rabbi, unbelievable as it may sound, yes, Doyle lied. He lied about the budget deficit during his campaign, and said that the budget was balanced. Well, now he admits the budget is in the red by $2.6 billion.

Ooops!

I guess it depends on the meaning of the word "tax."

Title: Re: Arrrrghhh! WI governor proposes cigarette tax increase, smoking ban
Post by: RadioFreeSeaLab on January 24, 2007, 06:27:42 PM

Prohibition, it sure worked great the first time 'round.  Might as well try it again 

Title: Re: Arrrrghhh! WI governor proposes cigarette tax increase, smoking ban
Post by: wmenorr67 on January 24, 2007, 06:34:42 PM

Does not WI state law require a balanced budget.  If so and the state is that far behind someone has screwed up.