Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle Proposes Cigarette Tax Increase Up to $1.25 Per Pack

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle (D) on Wednesday announced a proposal that would increase the state's cigarette tax by up to $1.25 per pack as a part of a package of proposals that includes a statewide public smoking ban and funding for health programs, the AP/St. Paul Pioneer Press reports (Bauer, AP/St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/25). Health organizations in recent months have been lobbying to increase the current tax of 77 cents to $1. An increase to $1 per pack would add $236.8 million of new revenue during the first year, and $197.6 million in subsequent years, according the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Doyle had said he would support an increase only if the additional revenue were used exclusively for smoking-related health services and programs. The tax increase proposal will be included in the budget Doyle will introduce in early February. "To remove the proposed tax increase from Doyle's spending plan, lawmakers would have to make budget cuts to offset rising health care costs," the Journal Sentinel reports (Forster/Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1/23).