Gov. Haley Barbour said Wednesday he wants to overhaul the state tax structure in the next few years, and he didn’t rule out a cigarette tax increase if it’s part of a package that helps reduce Mississippians’ overall bottom line.
“In looking at the system as a whole, the goal will be significant tax reduction,” Barbour said. “But we may see some things in there that need to be adjusted up, which would allow us to reduce other taxes even more.”
Barbour, a Republican running for re-election, has vetoed bills in the last two legislative sessions that would’ve increased Mississippi’s cigarette tax to $1 a pack while decreasing the 7 percent grocery tax. Mississippi has the third-lowest cigarette excise tax — 18 cents a pack — and the highest state grocery tax in the nation.
In a press release issued Wednesday, Wayne Dowdy, chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party, attributed Barbour’s statements to election-year politics.
“Haley has had every chance to support the cigarette tax-grocery tax issue and provide immediate tax relief for everyone,” Dowdy said. “But he didn’t. He lobbied against the issue. He vetoed legislation. And now he wants us to believe he’ll consider the cigarette tax issue during a second term.
“We can’t believe anything Haley says,” Dowdy said. “This is just another example of how Haley is two-faced on important issues.”
Barbour is a former Washington lobbyist whose clients included tobacco companies, and critics often cite those connections. Supporters of the cigarette and grocery “tax swap” believe raising the cigarette tax would help reduce smoking, which costs the state millions of dollars a year for health care.
The state Tax Commission has found that increasing the cigarette tax to $1 a pack and cutting the food tax in half could create a small gain in revenue for the state.
State Rep. Greg Snowden, R-Meridian, doesn’t view Barbour’s comments as a change of position.
“Everyone has tried to paint him as this tobacco lobbyist but that is not the case,” Snowden said. “I have heard him say over the past couple of months that he would, if he were elected for a second term, like to have a significant tax reduction.”
Snowden said he believes an overhaul is overdue and could be good news for all taxpayers.
Snowden said he would like to see a simplification of the tax structure, and if there is excess, he would like to see that money returned to the taxpayers.
State Rep. Steve Horne, R-Meridian, said if overhauling the tax structure would result in an overall tax reduction, he would be in favor of it.
“Our tax structure could stand some overhauling, but if it included additional taxes, I would not be in favor of it,” Horne said.
Barbour also discussed the state tax structure Tuesday during a meeting with the editorial board of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.
The governor told The Associated Press during an interview Wednesday at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Pearl that the state’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina is too uncertain for tax changes now. Barbour was at MEMA for a news conference on a two-day hurricane drill meant to prepare the state for the upcoming storm season.
“We still have too much uncertainty from Katrina. In a year, perhaps as long as two years, we will have stable revenue and at that time I will have already had a study of our tax system completed,” Barbour said Wednesday. “We need to look at the tax system in its entirety if we are going to have appropriate tax reform and tax cuts.”
Barbour said the study would consider all taxes that Mississippians pay — federal, state and local. Lawmakers would have to approve any changes in the state tax structure.
Local News
Barbour: tax overhaul could include cigarette hike
- Local News
-
-
In memory of those who died
A 21-gun salute is a common part of any Memorial Day program.
But the release of 21 snow white doves representing the peace we enjoy today because of those who have fallen in battle was a rare treat of the Second Annual Memorial Day Program held Monday afternoon at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian. -
Choctaw Expressions to be showcased
The Mississippi Craft Center will present Choctaw Expressions as the featured cultural and historical exhibit for the month of June.
The presentation will showcase the rich and unique heritage of the Mississippi Choctaw Indians with traditional cultural arts and artifacts. The exhibition is set to open to the public on Friday, June 1 at 10 a.m. The Mississippi Craft Center, located in Ridgeland, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and will highlight this unique event through June 30. -
Earth’s Bounty Festival Saturday
Residents in the Meridian area will have the opportunity to purchase locally grown or made products throughout the summer and fall through the Earth’s Bounty festival.
The expanded version of the current farmer's market will take place on the first Saturday of every month from June-November at Singing Brakeman Park in Meridian near Union Station. -
WWI soldier’s family receives Purple Heart
About three weeks before the end of WW I, two young officers with the 320 Machine Gun Battalion crept through the battered moonscape of France on a mission to find new positions for their weapons.
-
Man dies of gunshot wound
Investigators with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department are investigating a shooting incident that occurred Saturday morning in which one person died.
- Marriages & Divorces: Sunday, May 27, 2012
-
Leading Edges uses technology to enhance advertising
If local advertising agency Leading Edges has its way, pretty soon you will be using your iPhone or iPad to bring its clients' ads to life.
-
Meridian soldier to receive posthumous Purple Heart
- Partnership in place for safety blitz
-
Keeping time with the Disabled American Veterans
When you are responsible for transporting area veterans to Jackson to meet their medical appointments, you better be on time.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
