Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on April 10, 2002, to use this bill as a legislative "vehicle" for an appropriation to the school aid fund of proceeds from a proposed 50-cent increase in the current 75-cents per pack cigarette tax (and proportionate increases on all other tobacco taxes). Of the additional 50-cent tax, 20.2 cents would go to the state's school aid fund. The bill would establish that in the 2003-2004 school year the basic school foundation allowance would be $6,700 per-pupil, and all so called “categorical” line items would remain the same as those proposed for 2002-2003. The bill also would remove a provision in the original bill that, beginning in 2005, would replace the social studies assessment test with a civics test, including American and Michigan history and government. Finally, it eliminates the monetary award of $1000 for each full-time elementary school employee that accompanies the “Golden Apple Award” designation, and would use the money that now goes to the awards for school accreditation purposes

The vote was 53 in favor, 49 opposed and 7 not voting

(House Roll Call 972 at House Journal 58)

Click here to view bill details.

Reps. Dennis, Reeves, Callahan, Jacobs, Waters, Murphy, Basham, Lipsey, Hale, Minore, Clark, Bogardus,
Adamini, Williams, Zelenko, Brown, Anderson, Jamnick and Plakas, having reserved the right to explain their nay
vote, made the following statement:
“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:
I voted no on HB 5881 because the funding scheme in this bill is all smoke and mirrors. Three years ago the
Governor stripped $420 million in GF/GP funding from the School Aid budget with the promise that the funding would
be returned in FY 2003. If the Governor would keep that promise, then the Legislature would not be raising taxes on
the people of this State. THis bill would not be facing a severe deficit if that funding were restored. There is no need
to raise this tax; instead, the Governor should keep his promise.”

Rep. Schauer, having reserved the right to explain his nay vote, made the following statement:
“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:
I voted no on HB 5881 because the funding scheme in this bill is all smoke and mirrors. Three years ago the
Governor stripped $420 million in GF/GP funding from the School Aid budget with the promise that the funding would
be returned in FY 2003. If the Governor would keep that promise, then the Legislature would not be raising taxes on
the people of this State. THis bill would not be facing a severe deficit if that funding were restored. There is no need
to raise the cigarette tax; instead, the Governor should keep his promise.”

Rep. Spade, having reserved the right to explain his nay vote, made the following statement:
“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:
I voted no on HB 5881 because it is irresponsible to pass a two-year K-12 budget when the state continues to
experience declining revenues. The language in the bill linking school aid for 2003-04 to approval of a cigarette tax
increase inappropriately attempts to force one segment of the state’s population to shoulder an inordinate proportion
of the expense. Furthermore, history has shown that this legislature cannot entirely keep its promises to schools and
frequently makes negative budget adjustments to them. Passage of this bill would have given no guarantee to schools
that the funding would be forthcoming. And the next legislature would be under no obligation to adhere to this budget’s
provisions.”

RE: CIG TAX INCREASE--REPLUBLICANS LOVE TAXES JUST AS MUCH AS DEMS!!


SHAME ON EVERY REPUBLICAN ..SHAME ON EVERY DEMOCRAT , WHO ONCE AGAIN FLEW THE FLAG OF RIGHTOUSNESS WHILE STICKING IT TO THE POOR AND LOWER MIDDLE CLASS IN THE STATE!

"HELPING PEOPLE QUIT SMOKING".."SAVING MONEY ON SMOKING RELATED HEALTH PROBLEMS". B.S.!!!! PLEASE DON'T INSULT OUR INTELLIGENCE WITH THAT OLD STRAW MAN.

THIS IS A NO BRAINER. " WE DID SUCH A LOUSY JOB OF TAKING CARE OF THE STATE'S FINANCING, SO LET'S MAKE IT RIGHT BY STICKING IT TO THE HELPLESS AND DEFENCELESS"! THE POOR AND LOWER CLASS WHO MAKE UP THE BULK OF SMOKERS, CANNOT FIGHT BACK.

CAN YOU IMAGINE ANY ONE OF THOSE "BRAVE" LEGISLATORS WHO VOTED FOR THIS MESS PROPOSING A TAX ON FAT PRODUCTS ..CHEESEBURGERS, FRIES, MALTS, ICE CREAM, ETC..BECAUSE OBESITY KILLS? HA HA. CAN YOU JUST SEE THEM FIGHTING ALL THOSE MONEY LADEN GROUPS!

OR CAN YOU IN YOUR WILDEST DRUNKEN STATE CONCEIVE OF THEM PROPOSING TO TAX GOLF COURSES? HIGH PRICED RESTAURANTS? CABIN CRUISERS? LUXURY AUTOS? HOTEL ROOMS OVER $90 A NIGHT?

WELL..YOU GET THE IDEA. NEVER HAVE, NEVER WILL.

NO GUTS.

WELL, AT LEAST WE'RE MAKING INDIANA AND OHIO HAPPY, NOT TO SPEAK OF THE SMUGGLERS WHO ARE SALAVATING FOR THE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES BEGINING AUG 1.

IF YOU DO SMOKE, GET TOGETHER AND FORM A CLUB. ONCE EVERY TWO MONTHS, FINANCE A VAN RUN TO INDIANA TO BRING BACK CIGS FOR MEMBERS.

BETTER YET, IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO'S IN THE MILITARY OR A RETIRED MILITARY.. GET THEM TO SEND YOU CHEAP COMMISARY CIGS.

BY THE WAY, I DON'T SMOKE. IT JUST BUGS THE HELL OUT OF ME TO SEE THE DEFENCELESS GET LANCED AGAIN BY OUR SO CALLED REPS IN LANSING.

BY THE WAY, IF YOU SEE ENGLER & HIS ILK OR ANYONE ELSE WHO VOTED FOR THIS TRAVESTY RUNNING FOR ANOTHER OFFICE (AND YOU WILL) VOTE THEM OUT...BECAUSE THEY WILL TAX THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF YOU.

GO JENIFER GO! WE NEED YOU NOW!

I would just like you to know that neither you nor anyone else that supported an increase in taxes, especially cigarette taxes will not receive another penney in support nor a vote from myself or my family.