It Depends on What "Tax" Is....

As we reported in last week's digest, elected officials are doing all they can to wiggle around and out of their "no new tax" pledges. This week we have a similar story from Kentucky, where Governor Ernie Fletcher explains his support for a 25 cent tax on cigarette papers by calling it "closing a loophole" rather than an actual tax hike. Even the House Speaker seems confused, claiming that this proposal is "not a tax increase, it's tax equity." For a heavy hitting editorial from the Courier-Journal about this attempt to raise taxes, but stay away from the "T" word, click here.