Home > Albemarle Talk > Archives > 2008 > May > 14 > Entry
Smoking tax for teacher pay?
Gov. Mike Easley is proposing that the state raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes by 20 cents to help fund a pay increase for public school teachers. The matter will be debated in the short session of the General Assembly, now under way. Although raising the tax on cigarettes could be a good idea, in that it may help convince some people to quit, we wonder if the state wants to tie teacher pay to cigarette smoking — something that generally is discouraged. What do you say?
Comments
By Butch
May 14, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
I thought the Ed Lottery was to help schools & I think teachers are part of that system. Where is all that money going?? Out the back door with the gas taxes, we do pay some of the highest gas taxes along with the left coast and it is suppose be used to maintaine our State Highways. That gas taxes goes way back. Maybe like our S/S going out the back door and never getting replaced!! Why don’t we go after the Oil that is off our Coast. Gas keep going up the beaches will look the 30’s. Empty, because no one will beable to afford the gas to spend all their money on their High Dollar Cotteages?? Smokeing isn’t good for You, but what if the tobbaco farmers didn’t grow any for one year. What them Govenor??
God Bless Our Troops & the USat
By RO
May 15, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
No, do not tie a cigarette tax to teacher pay.
I do not approve of smoking. It smells terrible, it leaves a dirty residue and it harms the people who fall victim to it and even some who are in their presence for extended periods. To continue, it looks unnatural when a person is smoking and it often becomes litter. I wish it did not exist. Would I arbitrarily tax it to the point it made people quit. Hesitantly, I say no. I follow the line of thinking that believes chocolate and French fries could be next. They too contribute to real health problems. Individual freedom must be preserved.
What I would do is raise the cigarette tax to fund medical facilities and medicine. I believe smoking is one of the great contributors to high health costs for all. Smokers would still have the option to smoke but they would be participating in helping to alleviate its ill effects.
As for teacher pay raises, determine where NC graduates rank among the 50 states and position teacher pay at that same level. As NC graduates ranking rises, so should the teachers. If that requires increased funding, start cutting the budget of pork and then raise the sales tax if needed. I cannot believe I said that.
By Butch
May 22, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
Hoefully we will all come togeather here in the city and in the area outside of the city and support our Vets that have “Gone Over The Bar” and those that are still fighting and willing to give their all Memorial Day is a Day set aside to pay respects for those who have gone on before us. There were those that were killed in battle and there were those that came home from the wars with wounds from battle and scars of war that only they know.We must pay our repects for those Veterans have fought for the Freedoms we have now, God Bless the Ones that have gone on before us for their fight is over and they are with their Commander-In-Chief. Let us suppoet the Disable Veterans and other Veterans who have done their duty. There will services at “Ole Holloywood” at 11:00 AM Monday,May 26th. There will also be services at Westlawn off of main St. extended starting at 1:00 PM.So please take the time to pay your respects. God Bless Our Troops and The USA. Butch Hampton 1st Dist CDR of NC Disable American Veterans
By Kelly
May 23, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this
What a bunch of crap! I have a friend that’s a teacher of the 6th grade, and most of her students not only can’t read, but will fail! The issue is not where the money comes from, but stop passing these kids through…just to keep getting the funds. These kids don’t even like to read, much less solve a simple algebra problem. I am appalled! And I thank God that I taught my kids to read, because I don’t know what the hell they’re teaching in the first through the fifth grade anymore. My friemd cares and tries very hard, but there’s only so much she can do. We are going to end up with a bunch of adults…our future…that can’t read! Something needs to be done!
By Gordon Gray
May 24, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Quit Somking To some This Seems To Be The Answer It Wouldn’t Be a Mon and Dad Thing
By Butch
May 25, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
I know this doesn’t have anything to do with the smokeing tax, but would just like to pass this on, Thanks.
I As the 1st Dist Cdr of the Disable American Veterans of NC and a lifemember of Chapter 64 in Elizabeth City, I want to Thank everyone that donated money to our “Forget-Me-Drive for the month of May, it was a great sucess. The money that was donated will serve the DAV in our area. What is given here stays here.If you are a Disable Veteran an need some help fileing for your benifits come by the office at 112 McMorrine St (VA Dare Blg)we will help you with fileing your paper work. We are there Monday, Wedesday,& Fridays. Phone # is 335-0997. Memorial Day is sit aside to Honor Those That Have Gone on before us. We as American should be grateful for Our American Miltary and the job they do. Next time you see someone in uniform Thank Them, It will give you that warm fuzzy feeling, no one will notice, but you will. God Bless Our Troops & The USA Butch Hampton 1st Dist Cdr of the Disable American Veterans
By graphicArtist
June 5, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
Smoking killed my Dad and my wife is a teacher so I say up the tax 100% and give it to the teachers. Better yet, allow the FDA to regulate tobacco. They regulate everything else that we put into our bodies. Why not tobacco? Hmmm….
By Chase
June 8, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
Is this a joke? How much more do teachers want???? How about the parents take up the slack? It was the adults decision to have children, why should everyone foot the bill? All those going into a teaching career know what they are getting into.
By Erica
June 10, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
i dont really think thats a good idea. Ciggarette smoking is an addicition for most people. Im sure some people can barely afford to pay for them now. I know some people are probably thinking, well then just quit. Its not that easy. And most people are not going to quit. They are just going to keep shoveling out money that they dont have to pay for cigarettes. And i also agree with another persons comment that says i thought the Ed. lottery was supposed to be going towards schools and teachers?