CSNews Online:
7-Eleven convenience store franchisees and employees across the state delivered 23,000 signatures to lawmakers here, protesting plans by Governor Chris Gregoire and Senate Democrats to increase the tax on cigarettes by $1, area television station KPLU reported.
The proposed tax hike — which would bring the total to more than $3 per pack — is estimated by supporters to bring in nearly $86 million dollars over the next two years. The increase would help avoid cuts in health care programs, according to the report.
