The tobacco tax that could

As the 2009 Legislative Session approaches, it looks like we'll have another go at the tobacco tax.

In an AP article today:

Two businessmen are petitioning to let Mississippi voters decide whether to increase the state tobacco tax and designate the revenue for Medicaid.

Clarksdale attorney and restaurateur Bill Luckett and Jackson advertising consultant Rory Reardon filed an initiative Thursday in the secretary of state’s office. They have a year to gather about 90,000 signatures to put the issue on the ballot.

And, somewhat surprising, Barbour is not completely opposed to the idea of raising the tobacco tax. Don't get too excited, though. His proposal is so low, the whole thing will inevitably get bogged down, and the King of Tobacco could still come out looking good to his tobacco buddies after all.

Gov. Haley Barbour said this week that he’ll ask the 2009 Legislature to increase the cigarette excise tax, which is now 18 cents a pack. Barbour proposes adding 24 cents a pack on premium brands and 43 cents on off-brands.

I guess off-brand folks don't hire big-time DC lobbyists.

If we do have a ballot measure, which would be preferrable over whatever plan Barbour devises for his buddies, it will be interesting to see what numbers the legislature comes up with, and how much money will be poured into the state on such a measure.

Haley Barbour wants to raise taxes on the insured and sick

Haley Barbour came in to office on a pledge of not raising taxes. He stood by that pledge, even when at times his stance was to the detriment of Mississippi. Now we have Haley wanting to raise taxes on the sick and on the insured. What gives?

There is one entity that Haley will not stand up to, even for the benefit of his home state. Big Tobacco sleeps well with the former highest paid tobacco lobbyist at the helm in Mississippi. Barbour supported the regressive grocery tax over the hike in tobacco tax. He now supports the hike in the hospital per-bed tax instead of an increase in the third lowest nationally tobacco tax.

What happened to the no taxes Haley? His real home team Big Tobacco came calling and good ole Haley was more than happy to play his part. His resistance to any compromise, even when Speaker McCoy has brought compromise to the table, offers a glimpse of how deep his allegiance to the tobacco lobby runs.

Who will pay the hostpital tax increase that Haley Barbour is trumpeting? Well, if you have a deduction from your paycheck every month for health insurance, you will. The hospitals will pass the tax burden down to the sick. A large part of that will transfer to the insurance companies, who in turn will raise YOUR rates.

So in rewind Haley says NO tax to:

Haley says let's DO tax: