State (Ohio) may target booze, cigarettes (Again!)

AP ^

[Orangedog]

COLUMBUS (AP) -- The state is considering tax increases to help balance its budget and has warned agency directors that more spending cuts also may be needed early this year, Gov. Bob Taft's budget director said.

Any tax increases to help plug a hole in the current budget probably would be on alcohol or cigarettes, director Tom Johnson said Thursday. However, any tax, including sales and income taxes, could be considered for possible increases in the next two-year budget.

[Orangedog]

Attention Citizens of the People's Republic of Ohio...Hold onto your wallets!...Again! Anyone who still buys cigarettes over the counter in this state is about to get screwed again. Buy your smokes online or roll your own. If you buy beer, wine, or hard alcohol, try to do it across the border.

Taft and his fellow RINO's are crowing because the higher cigarette tax has brought in more money so far than they expected. What they don't brag about is that the wholesalers and retailers were taxed on the stocks that they had on hand the day that the tax increase went into effect, thus generating an artificial increase in cigarette tax revenue from the retailers who tried to stock up when the tax increase was just in the rumor stage and before it could become law. Now that that little pop is over and has been spent, they are looking to do it again this year!

[per loin]

There are many more fat people than smokers. A tax on excess poundage is the way for the state to raise real money.

[You Dirty Rats]

Your comment isn't funny, just pathetic.

Go away.

[Free the USA]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[Mark]

Smokers are in the MINORITY, thus an easy target as long as the non smokers "don't care". If the people in power in Ohio count the number of Jews in the state, will a light bulb pop on in their Nazi heads?

[Buckeye Bomber]

As a citizen of the state of Ohio, I've come to expect this kind of treatment from Bob Taft. This man is the worst sort of politician: the populist. He just plain doesn't know how to run a state. Sadly, he's even from my hometown of Cincinnati, as all the Tafts are.

First of all, is there anything other than a Republican in name only (I think that's what RINO means)? It's not like being a Republican leaves some deep mark on your soul. Being a Republican is like choosing a car: you pick the features you want, and then cast your vote. You can even tell your friends how great your car (or political party) is. Second, Taft is a close personal friend and supporter of President Bush. There has even been talk in the past of Taft as a VP for Bush's second term. let's hope that never happens.

[Deadeye Division]

Jennette Bradley's low profile is about to rise: The country's first female black lt. governor

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/821121/posts

[maestro]

Your# 2)................LOL

There are many more fat people than smokers. A tax on excess poundage is the way for the state to raise real money.

?......Tax I.Q.,........?

:-)

[per loin]

?......Tax I.Q.,........?

Ohio is a progressive state. When they discovered IQ could not be equitably redistributed across all genetic groups, they outlawed it.

[SheLion]

There are many more fat people than smokers. A tax on excess poundage is the way for the state to raise real money.

OBESITY LINKED TO HIGHER RATES OF CHRONIC ILLNESS AND WORSE PHYSICAL QUALITY OF LIFE THAN SMOKING, DRINKING OR POVERTY THREE OF FIVE ADULT AMERICANS ARE OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE

Provides new estimates indicating that three of every five adult Americans are either overweight (36 percent) or obese (23 percent).

Health and consumer advocates, using tactics reminiscent of those successfully employed against the tobacco industry, are targeting the nation's food industry by pushing for a ''fat tax,'' stepping up legislative efforts, and suing major restaurant chains in a campaign to reduce obesity.

Advocates target food chains, seek 'fat tax' - Tactics resemble antismoking effort

[SheLion]

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

per loin signed up 2002-06-14.

Figures

[MeekOneGOP]

Ah, yes. But cigarette taxes is big bizness !

Oh, look Mr. Governor. A windfall !!

[per loin]

Another weighs in for obesity.

[MeekOneGOP]

[SheLion]

Ah, yes. But cigarette taxes is big bizness !

Ah yes. BIG business!!!

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Another weighs in for obesity.

Your comments to ohioans outweighs any issue i may have with weight ...You may be heavy in tongue sir but you are lite in that which masters it!

[MeekOneGOP]

---

New York, New Jersey, Washington, Rhode Island, Connecticutt, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Alaska, Illinois, Vermont, California, Wisconsin, Massachusetts Taxachusetts.

Hmmmm? Advise to smokers. Vote RED (GOP) !...

[MeekOneGOP]

Glad to see Texas NOT on the top list of 14 TAXING states !

[WhiteGuy]

Hmmmm? Advise to smokers. Vote RED (GOP) !...

Sorry to disgree........

Ohio has gop leadership in the legislature, and in the governor's office.

(and has for some time now)

The gop has proven themselves to be no different than the demos.

Government gets bigger every year, taxes go up every year.