Monday, 14 January 2008
What Should David Williams Do?
« Happy Birthday To Me | Main | Fred Up 4 Points in South Carolina »It appears that momentum is gathering for an increase in the state cigarette tax. A number of prominent health groups in Kentucky are joined the chorus calling for the increase.
A broad group of health advocates banding together to work for increased coverage of the nearly 600,000 Kentuckians without health insurance is joining the growing chorus for a higher tobacco tax.
The group, known as Kentucky Voices for Health, is pushing for a higher cigarette tax to reduce smoking, particularly among youth and pregnant women, with some of the revenue used to improve the health of Kentuckians.
With Democratic leaders in the house giving the idea a serious look, I think it is very possible that the tax could make its way through the state house.
The state's two leading Democratic lawmakers --House Speaker Jody Richards of Bowling Green and Senate Minority Leader Ed Worley of Richmond -- said last week that the current state legislature should consider raising the cigarette tax than cutting education funding in the state’s next two-year budget. They stopped short of saying they will vote for any tax increase.
The question I have is what should David Williams in the Senate do if it passes the House? Should he shoot the bill down in the Senate and take heat for it? Or should he send it on to Beshear who claims he will veto any new tax increase and let him take the heat?
If Williams sends the tax increase to the governor, it raises an opportunity to create a split between Democratic factions. A battle could easily erupt between Democratic leaders in the house and the Democratic Governor. Putting a great deal of stress on their unity. And if Beshear signs it he would be under the gun for breaking his campaign promise of no new taxes.
While I admit it would be fun to pass the heat to Beshear and cause a split in the Democratic caucus. I don't trust Beshear to keep his word. Williams should do the principled thing and kill any new tax that makes it way to the Senate.
