Smokers, drinkers say governor's plan is a sin

THE NEWS-TIMES ^ | 2005-02-10 | Heather Barr

[kahoutek]

DANBURY — Behind the counter at the Mill Plain Package store Wednesday afternoon, Ilda Palinka was disturbed to hear Gov. M. Jodi Rell wants the state to pass the largest cigarette tax increase in its history. "You've got to be kidding me," said Palinka, 43, of Danbury. "The state keeps taxing us to death. How many times have they done it already?"

On Wednesday, Rell proposed raising the state's $1.50-per-pack cigarette tax by 74 cents.

She also proposed increasing the tax on other tobacco products from 20 percent to 90 percent of the wholesale price and adding 15 percent to the state's alcohol taxes.

These "sin taxes" would be used, in part, to close a $1.2 billion gap in the state budget, the governor said.

Looking around the store at the stock of beverages and cigarettes, Palinka had a practical complaint. "It will be a lot of work" to change all the prices, she said.

"It's crazy," said Sherman Joyce, 55, of Danbury, shopping at the Mill Plain Package store.

"They need to cut her (Rell's) salary in half," Joyce said. "They need to cut spending."

With high taxes already driving manufacturers out of the state, he said, the only people left will be the very rich and those who work in service jobs like landscaping.

John Marcy Jr., owner of Mill Plain Package store, said he is tired of high taxes.

"We will only lose money," he said. "People will go on to New York."

"Enough's enough," said Paul Taylor, owner of Dodgingtown Liquor in Newtown. One of his customers had already complained about the proposed tax.

"I think they could reduce spending more," said Taylor.

"That's a lot of money. I could definitely see a drop in business," said Christina Baker..........

[kahoutek]

I'm told that besides monitoring on-line sales, tax-happy CT is sending people to record license plate #'s in NH liquor and tobacco stores.

[tfecw]

what would tracking their plate numbers do for CT?

[SheLion]

These "sin taxes" would be used, in part, to close a $1.2 billion gap in the state budget, the governor said.

Aren't smokers just a little tired of carrying the entire state on their shoulders?

"When they are too spineless to cut spending, stick it to the smoker's and claim it's for their own good!"

[Joe Bfstplk]

Watch for a huge black market to develop.

[kahoutek]

They'll trace it to the owner and send them a tax bill............it's been done for years with sales of appliances, furniture etc. I pay cash out of state.

[MisterRepublican]

For as anti-smoking as the government is, they sure do love the tax "revenue" from cigarettes.

[angkor]

CT is sending people to record license plate #'s in NH liquor and tobacco stores.

Massachusetts was doing that for a while. Don't know if they still are.

[kahoutek]

Screw 'em. About once a month it's off to NH for cig's & necessary hooch. Friends & neighbors kick in a buck per item for gas.

[nothingnew]

...tax-happy CT is sending people to record license plate #'s in NH liquor and tobacco stores.

That's been going on for years. In taxachussetts, Sturbridge MA is just over the CT line. Years ago I saw "cops" in DUMPSTERS taking CT license #'s and then radio ahead to police at the border to let them know what vehicles to look for coming across the state line with booze. Been going on for a long time.

FMCDH(BITS)

[SheLion]

[nothingnew]

See #9. Don't know if it's still going on. I left the God-forsaken tax crazy new england area years ago.

FMCDH(BITS)

[Gabz]

......90 percent of the wholesale price.....

Who is it that is making a profit on tobacco products again?

Of course anyone that doesn't drink alcohol or use tobacco products will be pleased as punch that a small portion of the taxpaying population will be balancing the budget.

[metesky]

Massachusetts has tried this a couple of times. Last time NH state police arrested the MA undercover cops in the parking lot of the NH state liquer store.

;O)

[metesky]

That would be liquor, El Stupido.

[SheLion]

Screw 'em. About once a month it's off to NH for cig's & necessary hooch. Friends & neighbors kick in a buck per item for gas.

Exactly.  Then the stupid lawmakers scream when they can't realize all that revenue from cigarettes when smokers finally wise up and buy from the Net, go across state lines and/or roll their own.

It's the American Way to Shop Cheap.  These lawmakers are complete idiots!

[SheLion]

For as anti-smoking as the government is, they sure do love the tax "revenue" from cigarettes.

I think people are finally getting it!  They want us to quit?  They want Tobacco Free?  I don't THINK so! 

[tfecw]

ahh got it. I missed the online part.

I don't really get that. If i go out of country and hit a duty free shop i can get booze tax free. they have smokes there too. As long as your not filling your trunk with cartons or cases of booze you are allowed to bring a certain amount back.

Military folks have been buying booze/smokes/goods for years on post then bring it off.

Well the non smokers (not all non smokers, the zealots that crusade against smoking...I'm sure they will be here in a while) can caw and strut all they want with things like "You smoke so you should pay", "it kills people" yada yada yada. But when they eventually ban smoking or tax them out of existence...thats a lot of revenue that needs to be made up. Look out coffee, booze, cars, gas ect ect ect

[kahoutek]

This moron is kicking the slats out of former gov Rowland's attempts to ease up on taxes. The libs have her by the short ones because of his resignation.

[Raycpa]

Driving out the smokers and the alcholics sounds like a good long term plan to me. Less insurance health and auto costs plus a safer environment. Go Jodi.