Legislative panel stamps out bill to raise cigarette taxes
By JAMES MacPHERSONFebruary 9, 2021 GMT
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) A North Dakota legislative panel on Tuesday snuffed out a proposal to raise the state’s cigarette tax from 44 cents to $1 a pack, which would have been the first such hike in almost 30 years.
The House Finance and Taxation Committee gave a “do-not-pass” recommendation to the bipartisan bill, which was estimated to generate about $30 million annually. Companion legislation that would use those funds for health-related programs also failed to get the panel’s support.
The legislation now goes to the full House for consideration.