Barbour might be open to cigarette tax hike next term

The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 5/9/7

Gov. Haley Barbour said Tuesday he would be open to an increase in the cigarette tax during his second term if it is part of an overall package that provides “a significant tax cut” for Mississippians.

During the past two legislative sessions, the Republican governor has blocked legislation that would increase Mississippi’s 18-cent-per-pack cigarette tax, which is the third lowest in the nation, and decrease Mississippi’s 7 percent grocery tax, which is the highest state-imposed tax of its kind.