Jump to full article: New York Post, 2001-12-05
Author: KENNETH LOVETT
Intro: Two years after the state doubled its tax on cigarettes, Gov. Pataki is considering another hike to fill a budget hole created by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Pataki is weighing a 39-cent-a pack tax hike in his upcoming budget request, source said.
That would drive the state excise tax to $1.50 a pack - the highest in the nation.
While Pataki would not confirm he is considering the move - which would generate an additional $250 million to $300 million for the state - he did not rule it out yesterday.
"There's been no decision at this point," he said. "We're doing our analysis and we'll be making decisions over the course of the next few weeks."
With the state looking at a multibillion-dollar deficit resulting from the World Trade Center attacks, Pataki is looking for ways to cut costs and raise revenues.
Jump to full article » |