13

05.10

5:19

A Healthy Override

By Timothy Sweeney
Senior Healthcare Analyst for the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute


Word comes today that the South Carolina Legislature has overridden a gubernatorial veto of a 50-cent increase in the state’s tobacco tax.


The Republican-controlled House and Senate found the two-thirds vote needed to pass the override, bringing South Carolina’s tax to 57-cents per pack and pushing Georgia’s 37-cent tax farther down in rankings – now 4th lowest tobacco tax in the nation and the lowest of any of our surrounding states. Even a state that prides itself on low taxes shouldn’t be proud of this ranking.

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Posted by Author Name in Advocacy/ Budget / No Comments.

19

02.10

4:38

Tobacco Tax Is a Win for Georgia

Tobacco Tax Is a Win for Georgia
By Michelle Putnam, MPH

For those inclined to live under a rock, the state of Georgia is in a deep recession, with revenues steadily declining over the past year and showing no sign of recovery.  In Georgia, 20% of adults and 18% of high school students smoke, costing our $2 billion a year in smoking-related health problems.  Is there a magic pill that would solve both of these problems at once?  You bet there is.  I give you, the tobacco tax.

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Posted by Author Name in Advocacy/ Budget/ Medicaid / 1 Comment

More than 1.6 million Georgians are uninsured.Source: Georgia Health Policy Center
Health insurance premiums grew 6.4x faster than earnings over the past decade.Source: Families USA
Georgia’s infant mortality rate is among the worst in the nation.Source: KidsCount
Georgia ranks in the bottom quartile of states on overall quality.Source: New American Foundation
More than 1 million Georgians don't see a doctor due to the cost.Source: BRFSS data
Millions of Georgians are at least two hours away from trauma care.Source: GA Statewide Trauma Action Team

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