Patrick Proposes Sin Taxes For State [POLL]
A tax on cigarettes and junk food aims to raise money for state and make residents healthier.
Under a proposal by Gov. Deval Patrick, "sin taxes" on cigarettes will increase and new sales taxes on candy and soda will be put into place. Patrick is proposing the increase as a way to raise $260 million in new revenues for the state budget, according to an Associated Press article on Wednesday. Under the plan, the cigarette tax will be increased from $2.51 per pack to $3.01 per pack - an increase of 50 cents. The plan will also ask to impose the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax on candy and soda — both items are currently exempt from the tax — and expand the state’s bottle deposit law to include bottled water, sports drinks and other beverages, the Associated Press reported. The plan would also double the taxes paid on other tobacco …
