September 23, 2008
Nestled in Gov. Rell’s latest doom-and-gloom financial projections, in the deficit that more than doubled to $300 million in a month, is some good news.Revenue from the $2-a-pack cigarette tax is expected to fall off $5.2 million short of projections.
Sarah Kaufman, spokesperson for the state Department of Revenue Services, just told Blog-o-rama that it means Connecticut smokers will huff 2.5 MILLLION fewer packs of butts this fiscal year.
Considering that there are 20 or 25 cancer sticks per pack, it means some taxpayers may be crankier and some pulomnary surgeons may have less work in the operating room, but the state’s revenue loss could be a breath of fresh air, after all.