HB 1013 will now move to the House Ways and Means Committee, where it must pass before heading to the full House. Opponents of the Bill favor imposing a tax on hospitals- that would be directly passed on to patients- and cuts in services to cover the Medicaid shortfall. However, a $1.00 cigarette tax increase is a win, win for Mississippi. It would save lives and save money by leading to a reduction in youth smoking while supplying the state with a new revenue source to fund Medicaid.
In 2007, the 7 members of the House Ways and Means Committee listed below voted against legislation that would have increased Mississippi's cigarette tax.
Jim Ellington (601)857-0906 (H)
District 73 - Hinds
Mark Formby (601)798-8917 (H)
District 108 - Pearl River
Bobby B. Howell (662)262-7171 (H)
District 46 - Attala, Carroll, Grenada, Leflore, Montgomery
John L. Moore (601)825-5031 (H)
District 60 - Rankin, Simpson
Bobby Shows (601)477-9225 (H)
District 89 - Jones
Jeffrey C. Smith (662)327-0407 (H)
District 39 - Lowndes
Tommy L. Woods (662)838-6201 (H)
District 52 - DeSoto, Marshall
Contact these members of the House Ways and Means Committee over the weekend and ask them to vote for House Bill 1013 and allow the full House to
consider increasing the cigarette tax.
Or Call them at the Capitol on Monday @ (601) 359-3770
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