Democrat Senators introduce bill to increase cigarette by $.94/pack, tax OTP at same rate as cigarettes

[Bill Godshall]

Democrat Senators introduce another bill to tax OTP at same rate as far more hazardous cigarettes (don't know if e-cigs are included)
Senator Frank R. Lautenberg

“This measure will help to stop tobacco tax disparities and, in keeping with the President’s budget blueprint, raise taxes on all forms of tobacco – decreasing the likelihood that children will become addicted to this life-shortening product while also raising revenue for states and the federal government.

Not true, as Obama's budget only proposed raising the cigarette tax by $.94/pack, and would not raise OTP tax rates, nor tax e-cigarettes.


The bill number wasn't listed in this press release.

 

[Petrodus]

"Revenue" ...
Soft word for TAXES'

 

[sbdivemaster]

They don't even care what they are taxing - it's just a tax they can raise with almost no resistance.

 

[Bill Godshall]

The bill is SB 826, but the text of the bill isn't posted yet.
Bill Text - 113th Congress (2013-2014) - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

Nothing like politicians issuing self congratulatory press releases announcing new legislation and propagandizing, but failing to provide the text of the legislation.

The good news is that just 3 liberal Democrats in the Senate are cosponsoring the legislation.

I'm >99% confident that this bill won't be approved by the Democratically controlled Senate, and I'm 90% confident that the Senate Finance Cmte will NEVER take a vote on the bill (as there aren't enough votes on the Committee for passage).

The potential threat is that these three Democrat sponsors will try to get the bill's language (to tax OTP at the same rate as cigarettes) incorporated into any cigarette tax hike that is included as part of the budget process (as Obama's budget proposal included a $.94/pack cigarette tax hike).

But even if a cigarette tax hike (almost certainly smaller than Obama's proposal) is included in the Senate's budget, I don't think there is enough support (even among Democrats) to include enormous OTP tax hikes in the budget.

 

[Bill Godshall]

SB 826 is now posted on Thomas
Bill Text - 113th Congress (2013-2014) - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

No surprise, the bill would also tax e-cigarettes at the same rate as far more hazardous cigarettes (to prevent smokers from switching).

`(i) Other Tobacco Products- Any product not otherwise described under this section that has been determined to be a tobacco product by the Food and Drug Administration through its authorities under the Family Smoking Prevention and Control Act shall be taxed at a level of tax equivalent to the tax rate for cigarettes on an estimated per use basis as determined by the Secretary.'.

 

[DC2]

This won't pass though, right?

 

[Petrodus]

 

[Petrodus]

 

[Alexander Mundy]

This won't pass though, right?

Sent my concerns to my Senators anyway. (Although 1 will have a deaf ear anyway)

 

[Petrodus]

Sent my concerns to my Senators anyway. (Although 1 will have a deaf ear anyway)

For the most part ...
Our elected officials do as they please
unless they think their mischief might effect them being re-elected

 

[Alexander Mundy]

For the most part ...
Our elected officials do as they please
unless they think their mischief might effect them being re-elected

Hey, you are from MO also.
Bet you can guess which Senator I was referring to! Hint: Not Roy.
I used to bump into Roy quite a bit when he was Sec of State and 7th district Rep.
Even wired an addition to his house 15 or so years ago.
He was a very nice guy and not stand off or snobbish at all.
Seemed to honestly listen to his constituents and let that weigh in.
Have lost track with him since he made Senate and I hope he hasn't changed like most do.

Real problem is actually getting your voice heard.
99% or more of the time it never gets past staff unless you personally deliver it to the elected official.