West Virginia Blue
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The Senate Health Committee has passed out an increase in the WV tobacco tax. The money produced by the tax would go to health care for the poor, paying down long term debts, and tobacco prevention efforts.
Senator Truman Chafin and Senator Earl Ray Tomblin have undercut the effort with grandstanding and obstructionism. Chafin made a big fuss in Finance Committee with something about coal miners smoking cigarettes and people crossing the border to other states. Chafin was dressed down by Senator Roman Prezioso, who said,
I think the real hypocrite is the guy that stands on the sidelines, that panders to his constituents.
On the House side, Earl Ray Tomblin apparently told Tobacco Prevention experts not to attend a public hearing on the tobacco tax. This was pointed out by Twilight Campfighter in another post here on Blue.
Yesterday there was a public hearing in the House chambers over the proposed tobacco tax hike. Tomblin opposes it because, well, you know, cigarette machines, Southern Amusement, all that. Anyway, at an open public hearing on tobacco you would expect to hear from the state tobacco prevention experts at DHHR. But there were no DHHR folks there. None. Standing room only but no state tobacco experts. Tomblin ordered DHHR to stay away. This is the kinda guy you're getting, people. He's the Chamber's man, the Coal Association's man, and Manchin's man. And very likely your next Governor.
The tax increase of $1 would place West Virginia at #23 nationally in state tobacco taxes, behind Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC and within a few cents of Ohio and the national average. Hell, people from Oakland, Maryland come over to Terra Alta all the time to buy cigarettes and would still come if this law passed because Maryland's cig tax is $2 and this increase would bring WV's to only $1.55.
West Virginia has one of the nations highest smoking rates and one of the most chronically ill populations. Tomblin and Chafin are not leaders- they are shills for the lobbyist with the biggest pocketbook. A shame the people of WV can't afford their price.
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