Texas lawmakers consider increase of cigarette tax

AUSTIN (AP)-Smokers beware: the Texas Legislature needs your money.A $1 per pack increase in the cigarette tax once again is on the table as part of a funding solution to help lawmakers address budget demands. While some hope the tax could help replace lower property taxes, others are eyeing the potential cash cow for health care costs.'Simply put, every state that has raised its tobacco tax has seen revenues increase dramatically even as consumption declines,'' said Danny McGoldrick, research director for the Washington, D.C.-based Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.The proposed increase, which has been estimated to bring in as much as $800 million a year, had interest groups lined up to testify Thursday before the House tax-writing Ways and Means Committee...