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Great so when I drive the 800+ miles to go visit my family in CANADA, the state of NC is going to tax me on that? Niiiiiiiiiiice. <insert sarcasm here>
Ah but there is one "UNTOUCHABLE" in NC, and though it costs taxpayers millions and millions every year, it shall not be taxed as it is sacred beyond reason in NC.
But in North Carolina, the nation's leading tobacco producer, Gov. Mike Easley's plan earlier this year to boost teacher salaries never took off because it required raising the tax another 20 cents. The tax was just 5 cents until 2005, when lawmakers agreed to a 30-cent increase.
Guess it is clear where state leaders have their alliances, and it clearly isn't with our children or their future.
Ah but there is one "UNTOUCHABLE" in NC, and though it costs taxpayers millions and millions every year, it shall not be taxed as it is sacred beyond reason in NC.
Why do you feel it's OK to increase the tax on cigarettes?
It is an optional purchase, i.e. luxury goods kinda thing.
It might cause a certain percentage of people to give up the habit, drastically improving their life, improve their health, improve their job performance, reduce the number of sick days they take every year, save them lots of money.
And for those that don't quit, it increased tax revenue will help offset the billions spent caring for the health related issues that are a direct cause of tobacco use.
OBTW, I am a former smoker, quit 22 years ago, it just takes will power, and the results (personal experience, not theory here ) are great.
Oh and finally: Tax revenues are down, and the state needs to look at revenues from non-essential spending, or just put the full load of tax back on something like food, and punish everyone equally, but the poor more so than anyone else.
It is an optional purchase, i.e. luxury goods kinda thing.
It might cause a certain percentage of people to give up the habit, drastically improving their life, improve their health, improve their job performance, reduce the number of sick days they take every year, save them lots of money.
And for those that don't quit, it increased tax revenue will help offset the billions spent caring for the health related issues that are a direct cause of tobacco use.
OBTW, I am a former smoker, quit 22 years ago, it just takes will power, and the results (personal experience, not theory here ) are great.
Oh and finally: Tax revenues are down, and the state needs to look at revenues from non-essential spending, or just put the full load of tax back on something like food, and punish everyone equally, but the poor more so than anyone else.
I'm just playing devil's advocate here, I don't smoke.
However I think singling out a particular group of people to pay higher taxes that go towards things that don't benefit those people is unfair as well. If taxes are raised on registration fees that money (theoretically) goes toward expanding the road system. Property tax goes toward funding police and fire fighters. Etc. I know in practice the money is all thrown into the general pot and each service has it's budget but that's the idea anyway.
If you raise taxes on people smoking the extra revenue should go to something related, health care facilities, etc. That's my thought on the subject at least.
Congratulations NC. It looks like you're starting to get more like us in NJ.
They LOVE taxes here.
True. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. You people moved South to "escape" the problems that you faced up north (traffic, crime, taxes, rudeness, high cost of living, etc) but you brought those problems with you. It serves you right but I feel sorry that my fellow native North Carolinians have to suffer too. Such is life.
If you raise taxes on people smoking the extra revenue should go to something related, health care facilities, etc. That's my thought on the subject at least.
We are paying for the results of smokers health problems out of the general fund for a long time, time to replenish the general fund.
Great so when I drive the 800+ miles to go visit my family in CANADA, the state of NC is going to tax me on that? Niiiiiiiiiiice. <insert sarcasm here>
Yes, even in Canada, you can't escape the pickpockets of the NC Department of Revenue
Maybe this one is headed to the really bad idea file, the trash can.
And in all the back and forth I have seen about this idea, no one has answered the legality of NC charging for mileage driven in other states or even other countries. But that would require those in Raleigh to think beyond the tip of their nose, so I wasn't holding my breath either.
I have e-mailed my NC Senator and NC House member and voiced my opposition. I suggest everyone here should do the same. Maybe they need to plant less trees and shrubs along our roadways in order to save money rather than to raise taxes.
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) are great.
