Doubling cig taxes may reduce smoking, but it won't necessarily produce a cash infusion for the state.

​In a commentary published in the Star Tribune today, economist Patrick Fleenor of Fiscal Economics Inc. makes a persuasive case that the state stands to gain less than lawmakers think from a GOP-proposed cigarette tax hike.

Minnesota's cigarette tax is currently near the national average, but the GOP proposal would raise the per-pack tax from $1.23 to more $2.52 per pack. That could amount to as much as $320 million annually for the state -- if people buy cigarettes legally.

And therein lies the problem, Fleenor argues. History shows that when Minnesota's cigarette taxes get out of whack with the rest of the country, people start smuggling cigarettes. And when people start smuggling cigarettes, taxed sales drop.

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Two GOP senators are proposing a tobacco tax hike.

​Two Republican senators have introduced a bill to increase the state's tobacco tax from 35 percent to more than 47 percent.

The tax revenue, which could amount to as much as $320 million, would be funneled into the state's general treasury. According to Politics in Minnesota, earlier this week, one of the bill's co-sponsors -- Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester (the other is Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont) -- touted the increased tobacco tax as a way the state could reimburse schools the $2 billion owed them as a result of the funding shift used to pay down last summer's budget deficit.

The bill, which represents a rare instance of Republican legislators proposing a tax increase, now heads to the Senate Tax Committee.

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More than half the survey respondents would support increased cigarette prices.

​If the stress from thinking about Minnesota's budget deficit makes you think about lighting up a smoke, think again. Nearly 60 percent of Minnesotans would support increasing cigarette state taxes on tobacco to help solve the state's looming $5 billion budget deficit.

Those respondents supporting a tax increase weren't thinking in small numbers: 70 percent of those who favored an increase would approve of raising cigarette prices by up to $1.50.

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Carver County has filed public notice in the Chaska Herald that Prince, under his legal name Prince R. Nelson according to the Strib, and his PRN Studios, owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes.

We dug through the legal notices, and sure enough, he and his properties are listed in there right along side regular people who can't make a guitar weep while doing the splits in a sequined suit and high heels. His PRN Music Corp. in Chanhassen Lakes Business Park owes the largest amount listed: $221,891.88.

Like everyone else, Prince must either pay the tax and penalty, plus interest and costs, or file a written objection with the district court administrator by April 21. If he doesn't file an objection, the property could come under court judgment, including the possibility of losing the property through forfeiture.

Here are some of the properties listed:

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Bankrupted auto giant Denny Hecker has been circled by his creditors since last year for money owed. Now the Internal Revenue Service is on his tail too for a hefty sum of cash.

The IRS says Hecker and his wife owe at least $2.6 million in income taxes from 2003 and 2005, according to a May 11 filing. The IRS put liens on all of Hecker's property so if they sell it, the U.S. government gets a chunk of the dough.

Hecker filed personal bankruptcy this month, claiming nearly 1,000 creditors say he owes them nearly $1 billion.

Best of luck, sir.

Photo by iluvrhinestones

In the proposal announced today by Minnesota Democrats, the legislators have come up with the genius idea of taxing all things that really matter in life: booze, cigarettes, and rich people.

Seriously, folks. When do we say enough is enough? Apparently when your state has a $4.6 billion deficit, the best option is to tax the sinners.
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Photo by stevedepolo

If you weren't teabagging someone yesterday, you're probably missing out on something that is sweeping the nation. Teabaggers congregated at so-called "tea parties" Wednesday, also known as Tax Day, to protest President Obama's tax policies, the bailouts, and anything else they didn't really like about America right now.

Think Obama is a fascist? Join us! Saw the rally cry on Fox News? Come on down! Just open wide and... well nevermind.

Here's a roundup of all things teabagged.
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Thank goodness someone else saw this live on CNN when I saw it and posted it on YouTube for all to enjoy.

CNN reporter Susan Roesgen was out with the Chicago teabagging protesters this afternoon and she was riled up beyond belief. Add to that some serious heckling from the crowd, this cannot be missed.

Check out the clip and some highlights below. More »

Photo by kimberlyfaye

To counter the horrific and inappropriate Republican teabagging taking place all over the country today, liberals decided to embrace those big checks to the government.

No ball-dipping orgies for the liberals. Just some good old-fashioned "Thank You" cards to taxes.

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Photo by Photo Mojo

We'd hope that most people would get their taxes done at least a day or two ahead of schedule (we've still got one to mail out), but there are always the folks who will speed out to the airport late Wednesday night just in time to mail their taxes off to the IRS.

We've got you covered. Make sure you know the post office locations that will be OK with your terrible stalling habit unless you want to give the government some more of your dough. Check out hours and locations below.

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