Louisiana House Votes to Renew Cigarette Tax

Despite veto threat from governor, House backs a renewal of a 4-cent per pack state cigarette tax.

May 26, 2011

BATON ROUGE, LA ?" The Louisiana House has backed a renewal of a 4-cent per pack state cigarette tax, which is set to expire in 2012, the Associated Press reports.

The tax was enacted 11 years ago and generates $12 million annually for the state budget. Without the renewal, Louisiana??s cigarette tax would drop to 32 cents per pack. It faces a veto threat from Louisiana??s governor, Bobby Jindal, who has called it a tax increase.

Lawmakers scoffed at Jindal??s characterization. "There is a huge difference between renewing a tax and passing a tax increase. If my constituents can't see the difference between that, I don't know that I want them voting for me," said Representative Joe Lopinto.

The renewal was met with bipartisan support 70-30, giving it the minimum two-thirds vote if needed to override a veto. It heads next to the state Senate.

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