Though we believe that raising taxes should always be a last resort, a guest column, “Using smokes and mirrors to resolve Georgia budget woes,” by Frank Stephenson (Rome News-Tribune, Feb. 4) contains inaccuracies and fails to fully examine what is at stake this year with Georgia’s budget and health-care system. In fact, perhaps the question isn’t really if we want to increase the tax on tobacco, the question is, who and what are we will ... Jump to full article >>

Madison — Wisconsin’s cigarette tax will go up 75 cents per pack on Tuesday, making it the fifth highest tax in the country and by far the most among neighboring states. Securing the higher tax was part of a one-two punch secured by anti-smoking advocates this year. The other was persuading the Legislature to pass a statewide anti-smoking ban that takes effect on July 5, 2010. Those who fought for the ban and the tax increase say it prov ... Jump to full article >>