Big Cigarette Tax Hike Helps Balance Budget
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Gov. John Rowland signed legislation that adds 61 cents to the state’s cigarette tax, making it the third-highest in the nation.
Rowland proposed the tax increase, expected to generate $130 million in the next fiscal year, to help close a two-year budget gap estimated at $1 billion.
The state tax will rise to $1.11 per pack on April 3. Only New York and Washington have higher cigarette taxes.
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