Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Governor Culver Commends Iowa House on Bipartisan Passage of Tobacco Tax
(Des Moines) - Governor Chet Culver issued the following statement regarding the passage of the $1 per pack increase in the tobacco tax by the Iowa House:
"I want to congratulate the Iowa House for passing the increase in the tobacco tax and proving, once again, that our state is committed to the well-being of all Iowans.
With solid, bipartisan support, we have proven that this is not an issue of partisanship but an issue of health and saving lives. This tax will prevent 37,000 Iowa children from smoking and save nearly 20,000 lives. At the same time, we will be able to fund health care programs and work towards the goal of making Iowa the first state in the nation to have 100 percent health care coverage of our children.
These are powerful outcomes.
Iowans should be proud of the hard work done by the legislature on this important bill. I commend all the individuals and organizations that who have worked tirelessly over the last few years to see this initiative finally pass tonight. It has been a tough fight, but the tobacco tax increase is now a reality and I look forward to signing the bill by the end of the week."