The Pennsylvania Senate this afternoon approved, 39-11, a long-debated $2-per-pack cigarette tax for Philadelphia to help close the School District's budget gap. Gov. Corbett promptly announced that he would sign the bill. Signing will take place at 11:30 Wednesday morning. (Read the legislation.)
Superintendent William Hite said in a tweet that between the cigarette tax and the earlier approval of a 1 percent sales tax surcharge for schools, the District will net more than $170 million "in recurring and predictable revenue instead of one-time funding."
If it is implemented in October, the cigarette tax is expected to generate $49 million this year for the schools and as much as $80 million annually in future years. The sales tax surcharge provides the District a fixed amount of $120 million annually. The cigarette tax provision expires in 2019, however. Both taxes are on Philadelphia residents only, but they required state approval.
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smuggling just becomes more profitable every day!
ReplyDeleteYep and more and more switching to eciggs or just quit. No way they are going to see that projection.
ReplyDeleteI would make a bet that the schools will never see a dime of that money!
ReplyDeletebet the revenue goes down
ReplyDelete7:04 & 8:04 - I'll bet you're both right!
ReplyDelete99% of smugglers are not getting caught because it's hopeless.When our leaders approve such nonsense those who enforce the efforts to stop smuggling throw in the towel.Can anyone recall the specific amount of alcoholic beverages that were once allowed to be bought in Delaware and taken to another state? Another ridiculous unenforceable law.
ReplyDeleteGo ahead,send even more people to DE to buy their vices!
ReplyDelete