Politics & Government
Lawmakers Pushing for $2 Cigarette Tax to Fund Philly Schools
The State House passed a bill Wednesday that would allow Philadelphia to levy a $2 per pack cigarette tax to fund the public schools.
Philadelphia smokers may be paying $2 more per pack if a bill passed Wednesday by the state House of Representatives makes it through the Senate.
The bill, which would impose an additional sales tax on cigarettes to fund Philadelphia public schools, passed by a 119-80 vote. The bill now moves on to the Senate.
If approved, the cigarette tax is expected to generate $40 to $45 million in its first year.
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Governor Corbett said he commended the house and urged the Senate to follow suit.
"This action will provide much-needed fiscal relief for the Philadelphia School District. We will continue to work with all the parties, including the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, to address the ongoing financial struggles of the district," Corbett said.
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"We have worked for over a year, above the partisan politics, to put the students of Philadelphia first. I urge the Senate to concur on this much-needed relief for Philadelphia's schools,” Corbett said.
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