CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia lawmakers have finished a second day of special budget session without approving a spending plan.
On Tuesday, a Senate budget panel approved a 45-cent increase to the cigarette tax and higher taxes on e-cigarettes and other tobacco products. The package would raise $78 million.
The bill has headed to the Senate floor. It would then need approval in the House, where tax hikes face stiffer opposition.
Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin called the Republican-led Legislature into session Monday.
Tomblin has also proposed tax increases on cellphone and landline use and sales up to an extra 1 percent.
He has requested authority to furlough state employees in fiscal emergencies.
The next fiscal year starts July 1. A $270 million budget gap remains.
Each day of session costs about $35,000.
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