How not to Raise a Cigarette Tax

Yesterday’s Herald-Leader had a story about raising the cigarette tax.

The story reveals three unsurprising facts:

The American Lung Association of Kentucky is organizing a coalition to push for a cigarette tax increase of as much as 75 cents a pack.

One, the coalition pushing for a cigarette tax knows nothing about the process of wheeling and dealing. When the average cigarette tax in this country is over a dollar their starting point is asking for an increase of up to 75 cents.

Guys, if you get everything you want, and that’s not likely, then you barely get above the average, go for the New Jersey rate of $2.75 per pack. Surely some of you have bought cars before, the process is called dealing.

"The biggest hurdle, plain and simple, is political will," said Mike Kuntz, director of advocacy for the American Lung Association of Kentucky.

Two, the Kentucky General Assembly is populated by a bunch of gutless wonders too scared of not being reelected for doing the right thing. The only time this group shows is a political will is when they head for the nearest lobbyists free buffet. This was demonstrated yesterday in a hearing on Casino Gambling.

Anti-casino advocates got short shrift Thursday, as legislators cut the hearing short so lawmakers could make Frankfort's annual round of receptions and dinners.

And Three, leadership only occurs in Frankfort when a politician thinks he know which way the mob is headed so he can jump in front of it and claim he is leading until then they remain pretty spineless.

Beshear, a Democrat, has publicly said he will not support a cigarette tax. "He feels Kentuckians are taxed enough right now as it is," said Vicki Glass, Beshear's press secretary.

Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, who also opposes an increase, said Wednesday that there was "little sentiment" for a tax increase in the Senate.

House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, did not rule out an increase Wednesday, saying he was waiting to see Beshear's budget proposal. "It's premature to consider that issue," Richards said. In the past Richards has said he would not support an increase.