House cigarette tax hike may be DOA

The Clarion-Ledger, 2/22/8

Cigarette taxes would go up to pay for Medicaid, utility rates would increase to pay for additional power and voters would be required to show identification under separate legislation approved Thursday in the House and Senate chambers.

The three bills are among the most contentious this session. Each faces hurdles in opposing chambers.

Mississippi’s 18-cent cigarette tax is among the lowest in the nation. It would rise to $1.18 a pack under House Bill 1013, approved on a 74-42 vote after a partisan debate.