Categories
· Tax
· Lobbying
USA, by State
· California
|
Jump to full article: AP, 2009-05-25
Intro: Forty-five states have raised tobacco taxes during the past decade, but not California, where cigarette makers have killed 14 consecutive attempts by lawmakers and health groups to make smokers pay more.
The tobacco companies have hired big-gun lobbyists, donated tens of millions of dollars to legislative leaders and key committee members and bankrolled high-priced anti-tax campaigns. The tab for their political operations was at least $84 million over the past decade, dwarfing spending by their opponents in public health organizations and the medical industry.
R.J. Reynolds, Phillip Morris USA and other tobacco companies also have made contributions to charities and other nonprofits that offer a less controversial face of opposition to higher cigarette taxes.
Tobacco clout is expected to be felt in California's capital again this summer, as lawmakers consider a proposal to hike cigarette taxes by $1.50 per pack and raise $1.2 billion annually to help balance the budget and pay for anti-smoking programs. Even with Senate leader Darrell Steinberg crusading for the plan, it faces an uphill battle.
Jump to full article » |