JEFF ANGELO

STATE SENATOR

Forty-Eighth District

Statehouse: (515) 281-3371

       –

HOME ADDRESS

PO Box 604

Creston, Iowa  50801

H-(641) 340-3712

           jeff.angelo@legis.state.ia.us

 

       

The Senate

State of Iowa

Eighty-second General Assembly

STATEHOUSE

Des Moines, Iowa 50319

 

 

 

COMMITTEES

 

                   Appropriations,

                        Ranking Member

                    Commerce

                    Education

                    Local Government

                    Rules and Administration

                    Ways and Means

                                                                              

                 

Photo attached: Senator Angelo speaking on the floor of the Senate

 

For Immediate Release                                                                       Contact:  Jeff Angelo

Tuesday, March 6, 2007                                                                     (641) 340-3712

 

Angelo:  Tobacco Tax Dedicated to Everything but Health Care

 

Des Moines, Iowa – Senator Jeff Angelo (R-Creston) spoke on the floor of the Iowa Senate today to voice his concerns over Senate Democrat plans to spend the increase in tobacco taxes on things other than health care.

 

Angelo made his remarks during points of personal privilege, a time during the opening of the legislative day reserved for comments on various issues.

 

“Senate Democrats have promised us a trust fund for health care funded through an increase in the tobacco tax,” remarked Senator Angelo.  Democrats are proposing to place all of the tobacco tax revenue in a trust fund dedicated to health care, yet they have not outlined in legislation exactly where this money will be spent.

 

“But history suggests something different: According to an article in Florida Times-Union dated July 3, 2005, not even 5 percent of the $39.5 billion the states have received in the past couple of years has gone toward health care related expenses.  Instead, lawmakers facing tough budget times used the funds to prop up other programs from classroom spending to economic development.” Said Angelo on the floor of the Iowa Senate.

 

“Senate Republicans are concerned that new cigarette tax revenue will not actually go to help Iowans, but will simply be sucked up by a growing government bureaucracy,” commented Senator Angelo. “Iowans should expect the Democrats to explain how they plan to spend the additional $134 million pulled in from the tobacco tax increase,” he added.

 

##