Increased T-word utterances in Frankfort

Push back against possible cuts to education appears to be the motivation as "taxes," a word one did not hear spoken aloud until recently, is apparently gaining traction among an increasing number of legislators.

Now with doubts cast about the potential magnitude of casino revenues the T-word is suddenly audible in the corridors of the state capitol. The early front runner seems to be a cigarette tax - that will fall short of meeting its objective.

Go figure.

Ryan Alessi and John Stamper report in today's H-L:

Cigarette tax hike gains traction
THREAT OF EDUCATION CUTS COULD SWAY KEY LAWMAKERS

FRANKFORT --Spurned as political suicide only weeks ago, a potential cigarette tax hike now has support from a growing bevy of heavy hitting lawmakers.

Facing the prospect of a bare-bones budget that cuts education spending, several leading Democratic lawmakers say they're exploring the possibility of doubling the state's 30-cent tax on a pack of cigs.

"It's a matter of how deep the cuts are," said Senate Minority Leader Ed Worley, D-Richmond. "If they get into K-12, then I think we need to look at the option of increasing the cigarette tax."

Worley said he and a majority of his caucus would vote to increase the tax before cutting primary or secondary education. In the Democratic-controlled House, budget committee chairman Harry Moberly, D-Richmond, said more House members seem open to a cigarette tax increase as the prospect of deep cuts to education becomes a reality.