CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada Assembly members are vetting a plan worth about $600 million that would permanently extend some temporary taxes and raise the cigarette tax.
The Assembly Taxation Committee held a hearing Tuesday on SB483.
The bill would make temporary rates on the payroll tax and sales tax permanent. It also raises taxes on cigarettes from 80 cents to $1.80 per pack.
The so-called "sunset taxes" were created in 2009 and lawmakers have temporarily extended them every two years. Gov. Brian Sandoval called on lawmakers to make the taxes a permanent part of the state's budget after years of relying on them to fund the budget.
Several health advocates testified for the cigarette tax hike and said it would decrease the state's smoking rate.