Cigarette Tax Hike Deferred
The author of a bill calling for a 70-cent hike in the cigarette tax deferred his legislation after a lengthy debate in the House Ways and Means Committee. The proposed tax faced fierce opposition from
the Louisiana Tea Party and Governor Bobby Jindal. Rena Thomas from the Governor's Office says Jindal has promised to veto any new tax.
A separate proposal to renew a current 4-cent tobacco tax was approved by the committee and heads to the House floor for debate.