Tagged: cigarette taxes

The state's top budget official is reporting an 8.3 percent increase in General Fund revenue in May, largely thanks to improved collections from the sales tax, individual income taxes and property taxes.

Budget Director Jane Driskell released a monthly revenue report on Monday. The report showed property tax collections increased by 75.2 percent in May. Individual income tax receipts rose by 8.3 percent. And sales tax receipts were up 5.2 percent.

Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo says he doesn't expect a tax reform package vote during the current legislative session. Stumbo says such a package doesn't have the 60 votes necessary to pass in the House.

A special commission appointed by the governor proposed reforms that could generate almost $700 million a year in additional revenue.  

The Blue Ribbon Commission on Tax Reform meets today to share its recommendations with Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear. Beshear appointed the commission earlier this year to suggest ways to simplify the tax code and generate enough revenue to meet state needs and carry Kentuckians through the recession.

Smokers might have to pay more in Kentucky for cigarettes if a proposal to raise the cigarette tax passes. The Blue Ribbon Commission on Tax Reform suggests raising the tax from $.60 a pack to $1. Governor Steve Beshear appointed the tax panel earlier this year to simplify the tax code and generate enough revenue to meet the state’s needs.

NPR discusses the art of Hip-Hop with rhyme legend Ice-T. 

""A rapper is someone who rhymes. You could consider Dr. Seuss a rapper...an MC is someone who has that party-rocking skill..." -Big Daddy Kane