Governor Barbour released the names of those appointed to his Tax Study Commission yesterday- Jan 23. The list included the infamous former state Senator Tommy Robertson. Robertson, as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, blocked legislation that would have increased the cigarette tax up to a $1.00 while cutting the grocery tax by half. In August, Robertson was soundly defeated in the Republican primary largely due to his opposition of that popular piece of legislation.
Some comments from CL Editorial Director David Hampton: "Barbour has appointed some very good, highly qualified people. This is not to criticize any individual. I know many of them. But missing are avearge taxpayers and "people's" representatives. It is top heavy with politicians and businessmen. In fact some of the business, insurance and agricultural groups represented are the reason the tax system is in such a mess." Link DAVID HAMPTON: Tax study commission
The Complete List:
http://www.governorbarbour.com/news/2008/jan/TaxCommishMembers.htm
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
$1.00 stand alone bill
Rep. John Mayo has introduced a $1.00 cigarette tax increase.
Link: HB 22
The bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Clarke, Banks, Brown, Burnett, Evans (91st), Fredericks, Gardner, Hines, Holloway, Johnson, Lane, Reynolds, Robinson, Smith (27th), Straughter, Thomas, Watson, Whittington.
Link: HB 22
The bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Clarke, Banks, Brown, Burnett, Evans (91st), Fredericks, Gardner, Hines, Holloway, Johnson, Lane, Reynolds, Robinson, Smith (27th), Straughter, Thomas, Watson, Whittington.
House Bill 73
Representative Flaggs submitted legislation that would increase Mississippi's excise tax on cigarettes by 50cents.
Link: HB 73
The bill would earmark the revenue in the following: (a) One third (1/3) of the revenue collected shall be 71 deposited into the Health Care Expendable Fund created in Section 72 43-13-407. 73
(b) One third (1/3) of the revenue collected shall be 74 deposited into the special fund to the credit of the University of 75 Mississippi Medical Center that is created in Section 3 of this 76 act. 77
(c) One third (1/3) of the revenue collected shall be 78 deposited into the Mississippi Trauma Care Systems Fund created in 79 Section 41-59-75.
Link: HB 73
The bill would earmark the revenue in the following: (a) One third (1/3) of the revenue collected shall be 71 deposited into the Health Care Expendable Fund created in Section 72 43-13-407. 73
(b) One third (1/3) of the revenue collected shall be 74 deposited into the special fund to the credit of the University of 75 Mississippi Medical Center that is created in Section 3 of this 76 act. 77
(c) One third (1/3) of the revenue collected shall be 78 deposited into the Mississippi Trauma Care Systems Fund created in 79 Section 41-59-75.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Whose Side Are You On?
A series of billboards, including two just blocks away from the capitol building, ask lawmakers to choose sides— Mississippi kids or Big Tobacco.
When we increase tobacco taxes, our kids win and Big Tobacco loses. Why? he more cigarettes cost, the less people smoke—especially kids.
The billboards, which pose the question “Whose side are you on?” while depicting a pack of cigarettes and a group of children, are located on High and West streets, Lakeland Drive, Highway 80 in Pearl, Highway 51 in Madison, Highway 49 in Florence, I-220 near County Line Road, and I-55 S near Byram.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Mississippi Receives all F's
The American Lung Association released its State of Tobacco Control Report Cards for each state and the federal government. Mississippi earned F's in Tobacco Prevention and Control Spending, Smokefree Air, Cigarette Tax, and Youth Access.
During the 2008 legislative session, the American Lung Association of Mississippi will continue to work with organizations like the Communities for a Clean Bill of Health to ensure successful passage a cigarette tax increase, statewide smokefree legislation, and additional tobacco prevention and cessation funding
Some Key Committee Appointments
Finance: Chairman Dean Kirby, R-Pearl; Vice Chairman Eugene “Buck” Clarke, R-Hollandale.
Appropriations: Chairman Alan Nunnelee, R-Tupelo; Vice Chairman Doug Davis, R-Hernando.
Public Health and Welfare: Chairman Hob Bryan, D-Amory; Vice Chairman Alan Nunnelee, R-Tupelo.
Appropriations: Chairman Alan Nunnelee, R-Tupelo; Vice Chairman Doug Davis, R-Hernando.
Public Health and Welfare: Chairman Hob Bryan, D-Amory; Vice Chairman Alan Nunnelee, R-Tupelo.
Medicaid
The Problems with Medicaid:
Mississippi’s Division of Medicaid needs a deficit appropriation of $86 million to maintain services for FY 08 (ending June 30, 2008).
To continue current service levels, an additional $168 million is needed to fund Medicaid through FY 09.
Medicaid spends $264 million on tobacco related healthcare expenditures while the state’s excise tax on cigarettes only generates $43 million annually.
Mississippi has continued to use one time monies—the Healthcare Trust Fund or Federal aid—as temporary solutions to Medicaid’s funding woes. The state needs a steady source of revenue to fund the program on a long-term basis.
Lawmakers must find funding for this program that provides healthcare coverage for the poor and elderly or make cuts in beneficiaries or service. Approximately 100,000 beneficiaries would have to be cut from the program in order to close the budget gap. However, the last cuts in the Medicaid program resulted in an overwhelming public outcry and court intervention.
The Solution:
A $1.00 per pack cigarette tax increase would result in $163 million in new revenue that would go towards funding Medicaid.
43,000 kids alive today would not smoke as a result of $1.00 cigarette tax increase. Combined that with 23,400 adults who would quit smoking and Mississippi will save $971 million in long-term healthcare costs.
A $1.00 cigarette tax increase would provide a steady, predictable, and dedicated stream of revenue for Medicaid. Despite declines in smoking, each state that has raised its cigarette tax has seen an increase in revenue.
Increasing Mississippi’s cigarette tax—currently 18 cents and 49th in the nation—would end the state’s continuing healthcare subsidy for smokers. Medicaid spends $264 million on smoking related healthcare costs each year while the state’s excise tax on cigarettes only generates $43 million annually.
Mississippi’s Division of Medicaid needs a deficit appropriation of $86 million to maintain services for FY 08 (ending June 30, 2008).
To continue current service levels, an additional $168 million is needed to fund Medicaid through FY 09.
Medicaid spends $264 million on tobacco related healthcare expenditures while the state’s excise tax on cigarettes only generates $43 million annually.
Mississippi has continued to use one time monies—the Healthcare Trust Fund or Federal aid—as temporary solutions to Medicaid’s funding woes. The state needs a steady source of revenue to fund the program on a long-term basis.
Lawmakers must find funding for this program that provides healthcare coverage for the poor and elderly or make cuts in beneficiaries or service. Approximately 100,000 beneficiaries would have to be cut from the program in order to close the budget gap. However, the last cuts in the Medicaid program resulted in an overwhelming public outcry and court intervention.
The Solution:
A $1.00 per pack cigarette tax increase would result in $163 million in new revenue that would go towards funding Medicaid.
43,000 kids alive today would not smoke as a result of $1.00 cigarette tax increase. Combined that with 23,400 adults who would quit smoking and Mississippi will save $971 million in long-term healthcare costs.
A $1.00 cigarette tax increase would provide a steady, predictable, and dedicated stream of revenue for Medicaid. Despite declines in smoking, each state that has raised its cigarette tax has seen an increase in revenue.
Increasing Mississippi’s cigarette tax—currently 18 cents and 49th in the nation—would end the state’s continuing healthcare subsidy for smokers. Medicaid spends $264 million on smoking related healthcare costs each year while the state’s excise tax on cigarettes only generates $43 million annually.
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