March 8, 2005

Statement from Governor Barbour's Office

"According to the Mississippi State Tax Commission, if an additional 50 cent tobacco tax was implemented April 1, the state would collect three months of taxes by June 30 or the end of the fiscal year. They estimate $23 million would be collected. Therefore, Mississippi cannot tax enough in three and a half months to cover a $268 million deficit. There is only one option available to legislators - the Health Care Trust Fund."

(Please note attached letter from the Mississippi State Tax Commission.)

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