JACKSON – The versions of the cigarette tax legislation passed earlier this session by the Senate and House had many differences, chief among them the amount of the increase.
But the versions passed by the two chambers had at least one key point in common. Both chambers passed legislation based on the
assumption the increase – whatever size was finally agreed to – would take effect this fiscal year.
The Senate, in particular, talked about a March 1 enactment date to garner funds this fiscal year to ensure that local governments had enough money to prevent a possible increase in the cost of car tags.
February is quickly slip-sliding away and the negotiators appointed by House Speaker Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, and Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, who
presides over the Senate, have yet to meet – at least in public.
The state Tax Commission had said it would take about 30 days to enact an increase in the cigarette tax.
It is becoming less and less likely any additional money will be raised from an increase in the cigarette tax for this fiscal year,
which ends on June 30. With the state budget in a mess, legislators are missing an opportunity.
Maybe, at this point they are just counting on the federal stimulus package to bail them out.
Is it tru that the economic state of MISS is so great that legislators are spending their time celebrating football coaches? I have no “dawg” in the hunt, I live in Alabama but was raised in Tupelo & read djonline quite often & can’t believe that’s what your legislators are doing on your time…especially in these times! Wow!
Comment by Julie — February 19, 2009 @ 1:37 am