Saturday, November 03, 2007

Too Late

Wouldn’t a story like this have been more useful, oh… I don’t know… while the budget was being debated?

(4) Comments
Posted by Owen at 1307 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. The tax revenue from the cig tax is IRRELEVANT.

    Same as the revenue from the Feds for the “hospital tax.”

    Once the spending starts, the Legislature will find a way to continue the spending.

    The whole objective is to START SPENDING PROGRAMS…because they will never go away, and taxes will be increased (or fees) one way or the other to pick up the slack.

    Posted by dad29 on November 03, 2007 at 1644 hrs


  2. Dad is absolutely correct.  The moment cigarette tax revenues fall, a new tax or fee (they are the same!) will be brought in to cover the shortfall. 

    And the drumbeat will roll out the same old lines, threatening government shutdowns and reduction of “needed services”. 

    And anyone who opposes the new spending will be in favor of letting the convicts out, of not educating our children and not supporting the teachers who shape our future and not being fair with healthcare…..

    Think I’ve got the mantras down…..it’s enough to make me sick.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 03, 2007 at 1754 hrs


  3. Except, the lower long term tax revenue is offset by lessening smoking’s impact on medicare/medicaid, healthcare costs, etc.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 04, 2007 at 2023 hrs


  4. Perhaps.  It depends on if people stop smoking or just get their smokes elsewhere.  Plus, it’s a matter of timing.  If revenue from the tobacco tax drops by $200 million next year, there will be no identical drop in health care expenditures.  Those potential savings won’t be realized for decades.  So what do we do about the $200 million shortfall?  I propose that we cut spending, but most politicians will advocate a tax increase or fund raid in order to fill the gap.

    Posted by Owen on November 04, 2007 at 2045 hrs


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