When state legislators begin their new session, they'll be facing a revenue shortfall of over a billion - that's right, with a "b" - dollars! So our senators and congressman are looking not only  a number of possible cuts to programs and services, but revenue increases in the form of tax and fee increases!

Columnist Bob Mann, writing for the website forward-now.com, says one obvious way to make a little money is by increasing the state tax on cigarettes:

"At only 36 cents per pack, Louisiana has the nation’s third lowest cigarette tax. New York has the highest, at $4.35. The benefits of raising cigarette taxes are considerable. It would not only generate significant new revenue; higher prices would also persuade many people to quit smoking or significantly curtail their deadly habit."

To read all of Bob Mann's column, "Let's Raise Louisiana's Cigarette Tax", JUST CLICK HERE!

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