Great Bobby Harrison Article on Taxes

Tax reform high on governor's agenda for second term
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal - Tupelo,MS,

"The beauty of the lieutenant governor's proposal is that it brought both taxes in line with the rest of the country," Bryan said.Barbour blocked passage of the proposal during both sessions. Some said he opposed the higher cigarette tax because the Washington, D.C., lobbying firm he helped build - and from which he still receives revenue - represents cigarette companies.

But Barbour has said he would not rule out an increase in the cigarette tax as part of larger reform efforts. He has indicated, though, on more than one occasion that the grocery tax is not the tax he would favor cutting.

Still, proponents of the tax-swap plan most likely will have key positions in the Legislature, regardless of what happens in the speaker's race.Sen. Alan Nunnelee, R-Tupelo, who is expected to have a position of influence in a Bryant administration, has been a consistent supporter of the tax swap and said he would continue to do so. He said he believes as more people become educated on the issue, support for reducing the grocery tax and increasing the cigarette tax will grow.