Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that increases the cigarette tax, decreases wine discounts, and adjusts appropriation levels.

Highlights:

-Raises the tax on cigarettes from $1.08 to $1.33 per package (Sec. 296:15). -Specifies that the cigarette tax increase shall not take effect if the commissioner of the department of revenue administration certifies that the amount of tobacco tax revenue received between July 1, 2008 and September 30, 2008 was at or above $50 million (Sec. 296:17). -Establishes a 15 percent discount off the retail price of wine in liquor stores and a 20 percent discount off the warehouse price for holders of off-premises retail licenses with annual wine purchases under $350,000 (Sec. 296:12). -Provides that persons with combined annual wine purchases over $350,000 a year receive at least a 10 percent discount from the regular warehouse price (Sec. 296:12). -Reduces appropriations for the judicial branch for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 by $1 million and by $1.6 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 (Sec. 296:2). -Reduces appropriations for the legislative branch for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 by $1 million and by $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 (Sec. 296:3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that increases the cigarette tax, decreases wine discounts, and adjusts appropriation levels.

Highlights:

-Raises the tax on cigarettes from $1.08 to $1.33 per package (Sec. 296:15). -Specifies that the cigarette tax increase shall not take effect if the commissioner of the department of revenue administration certifies that the amount of tobacco tax revenue received between July 1, 2008 and September 30, 2008 was at or above $50 million (Sec. 296:17). -Establishes a 15 percent discount off the retail price of wine in liquor stores and a 20 percent discount off the warehouse price for holders of off-premises retail licenses with annual wine purchases under $350,000 (Sec. 296:12). -Provides that persons with combined annual wine purchases over $350,000 a year receive at least a 10 percent discount from the regular warehouse price (Sec. 296:12). -Reduces appropriations for the judicial branch for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 by $1 million and by $1.6 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 (Sec. 296:2). -Reduces appropriations for the legislative branch for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 by $1 million and by $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 (Sec. 296:3).

Full Bill Text