House Republican Leader Comments on Senate Killing the Tobacco Tax Hike
For Immediate Release
Thursday May 23rd, 2013
Contact: 603-271-3665
House Republican Leader Comments on Senate Killing the Tobacco Tax Hike
CONCORD – Today House Republican Leader Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett) offered the following comment in reaction to the Senate voting 13-11 to kill HB659, the bill that would raise the tobacco tax by 20 cents per pack.
House Republican Leader Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett)
“I would like to commend the Senate for voting to ITL HB659 and killing the increase in the tobacco tax. The tobacco tax is a regressive tax that makes businesses less competitive to begin with. Raising the tax by 20 cents would cause our state to lose revenue in many areas. Not only will it hurt revenue, but considering the state of our economy, the last thing businesses on the borders need is a tax increase that drives consumers away. When consumers come to New Hampshire to purchase tobacco because of the lower tax rate, they also purchase non-tobacco products. Raising the tax will encourage consumers to go elsewhere, and make it more difficult for businesses to succeed and grow.”
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