For Immediate
Release: May 21, 2004
Audio Clip
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Senate Sends Tobacco Tax Proposal
To Voters
Oklahoma Senators today gave final approval
to Governor Henry’s
Health Initiative sending a proposed tobacco tax increase
to the vote of the people in November.
By a 39-8 vote, Senators approved House Bill 2660. It calls
for a net 55-cent increase in the per pack tax on tobacco
to fund a wide range of health programs, including an increase
in the rates paid to Medicaid providers, health insurance
premium assistance for approximately 100,000 uninsured Oklahomans,
creation of a cancer research and treatment center and additional
funding for the statewide trauma care network.
“Thanks to the leadership of our young governor and
the courage of a majority of the members of the Legislature,
this and future generations of Oklahomans will have a healthier
future. Our state is one of the sickest in the nation, but
that’s about to change. This vote – the most
important vote in the Legislature since the passage of House
Bill 1017 in 1990 – is the first step on the path
to a healthier Oklahoma,” said Senate President Pro
Tempore Cal
Hobson.
Hobson also lauded the bi-partisan vote in favor of the
issue.
“Both Democrats and Republicans made the health of
our state a priority with their vote today. Neither side
put party politics before the health of Oklahomans,”
Hobson said.
Senator Ben
Robinson, D-Muskogee, presented the bill on the Senate
floor.
“With this vote today, Senators have saved lives.
The people of Oklahoma will support this in November and
as a result thousand of children in our state won’t
become smokers and won’t die premature deaths related
to smoking,” Robinson said.
The Oklahoma House of Representatives approved HB 2660 Thursday
by a 66-33 vote.
For
more information contact:
President Pro Tempore's Office -
(405) 521-5605
