In the wake of this past year’s nearly $6 billion cut to the state budget and the recent economic downtown, the Legislature is anticipating another difficult budget year in 2009.
At its September meeting, the Legislative Budget Commission tapped into $672 million from Florida’s reserves in order to balance this year’s deficit and will meet again this month to look at additional funding. In an effort to avoid depleting our reserves, and in response to this horrendous budget situation, it is imperative that we begin to look at new sources of revenue.
Last year, I sponsored legislation to increase Florida's cigarette tax by $1. This increase would have generated approximately $1 billion in revenue which could have been used to offset the over $800 million cuts to healthcare programs. Florida’s .34 cent cigarette tax has not been increased since 1992 and currently ranks 46th in the nation. Not only would this increase have prevented severe cuts to our healthcare system, it would have provided funding for cancer research and, most importantly, it would have deterred kids from ever starting to smoke.
As we face another $3.5 - 5 billion dollar deficit for next year’s budget, I plan to introduce this legislation again for the 2009 Legislative Session. An increase in the cigarette user fee will not only generate more than one billion dollars to cover the ballooning costs of the state’s Medicaid program, it will stimulate Florida’s economy by making us a leader in cancer research. If we can address pressing health care needs while helping to put our economy on the right track, the Legislature must act now.
I urge you to contact Florida’s legislators and ask them to support a $1 increase in the cigarette user fee. The financial crisis that has gripped our nation affects everyone. We should take this reasonable step to prevent further health care cuts and to help guide our kids to healthy lives.
It is an honor to represent District 30 in Tallahassee.
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To read my Sunday, October 12 Sun-Sentinel Delray Community News article Click here.