Wolf seeks $1-per-pack hike in cigarette tax to reap $358M

HARRISBURG (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf wants to raise Pennsylvania's cigarette tax by $1 per pack.

If approved, smokers would have to pay $2.60 per pack instead of the current $1.60.

It's one of several tax hikes Wolf proposed in his budget plan for the coming year.

The Democratic governor is seeking new revenues to support public education and cut property taxes. But Republican lawmakers oppose his plan.

Wolf's statewide cigarette tax would take effect Oct. 1 and raise about $358 million.

The governor also wants to extend a 40 percent wholesale tax to cover cigars, loose tobacco, smokeless tobacco and electronic cigarettes. That would generate $84 million.

Philadelphia increased cigarette taxes by $2 per pack last year to raise money for the cash-strapped schools. Wolf's plan would repeal that.

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