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Some Senate Committee members meet to discuss tax increases

April 15, 2003
By: Megan Murphy
State Capital Bureau

Missouri needs money. So, some members of the Senate Appropriations Committee held a private meeting to come up with some options for enhancing the state's revenue.

Lawmakers met to informally discuss tax increase options to help balance next year's budget. Some lawmakers say they can't balance the budget solely by making cuts.

Senator John Russell is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He says as of now, there's no definite answer to the problem. But, some options under consideration involve taxing gambling and tobacco.

Actuality:RUSSELL.WAV
RunTime: 13
OutCue: "at this time."


Contents: "A lot of people would like to tax those two entities because

they are typically taxed pretty high in other states, and then cigarettes or tobacco are so unpopular at this time."

Russell said some of the revenue from gambling and tobacco are earmarked for education and health sciences. That's why they're more popular than some of the other options.

In Jefferson City, Megan Murphy, KMOX News

Some members of the Senate Appropriations Committee held a private meeting to talk about ways to increase revenue to balance next year's budget.

The informal meeting focused on how to use a two-pronged approach to balance the budget, an approach that likely will involve budget cuts and tax increases.

Although the lawmakers didn't come up with a solid plan, there was some general agreement that new taxes could focus on gambling or tobacco.

Senator John Russell is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He explains why gambling and tobacco are popular targets for lawmakers considering tax increases.

Actuality:RUSSELL2.WAV
RunTime: 13
OutCue: "come up frequently"
Contents: "Some of the revenue from those are earmarked for education and health sciences, and that type of thing. So, that's one reason those two subjects come up frequently."

He also said these types of tax increases are popular because other states place high taxes on gambling and tobacco.

In Jefferson City, Megan Murphy, KMOX News