O'Malley resists $2 cigarette tax, Democrats favor

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BALTIMORE (AP) -- Some high-ranking Democrats, including nine new state senators, endorsed a $1 increase in the tax on a pack of cigarettes yesterday.

But one important name was missing from the list of supporters for the plan to raise new revenue to expand health coverage and drug treatment programs and discourage teenagers from smoking.

Gov.-elect Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, has not agreed to support the tax proposed by Health Care for All, a coalition of health, labor, religious, business and community groups.

"There are things we can do to improve health care for all Maryland families," said Rick Abbruzzese, a spokesman for the incoming governor. "Whether that includes raising the tobacco tax is up for debate. We are not inclined to support it at this time."

Vincent DeMarco, spokesman for Health Care for All, said his group is encouraged by the fact that Mr. O'Malley said during his campaign he would make health care a top priority.

"We believe when he looks at it, in light of the budget deficit, the only way to expand health care is with the tobacco tax," Mr. DeMarco said.

Newly elected Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler and newly elected Comptroller Peter Franchot were among the Democrats endorsing an increase from $1 to $2 a pack.

Eighty of the 188 state senators and delegates elected Nov. 7 also signed a pledge during the campaign to support the tax increase.

Maryland's tax of $1 a pack ranks 21st in the nation, lower than Pennsylvania's, tied with the rate in District and higher than the tax in Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia.

At $2 a pack, Maryland would be fourth after New Jersey, Rhode Island and Washington.

The Department of Legislative Services estimated that doubling the tax would produce $211.1 million in revenue for the state.

The Health Care for All plan proposes spending $155 million to expand Medicaid coverage for low-income Marylanders, increase funding for programs to prevent smoking, help small-business owners pay insurance costs for employees and increase drug treatment slots.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., Southern Maryland Democrat, has opposed cigarette tax increases, and said last week that he is not in favor of raising taxes.

Republican leaders in the House and the Senate oppose the $1 increase.

"I suspect if the governor-elect doesn't support it, this may be one of our opportunities to work with him," said House Minority Whip Anthony J. O'Donnell, Calvert Republican.

Senate Minority Leader J. Lowell Stoltzfus, Somerset Republican, agreed: "We don't need any new taxes."