Bills on Cigarette and Plastic-Bag Taxes, Judicial Retirement Falling to Wayside

As expected, the House Finance Committee on Jan. 24 tabled a proposal by Del. Patrick Hope (D-47th) to increase Virginia’s cigarette tax from 30 cents per pack to $1.45.

Hope wanted the increased revenue to be used, in part, to fund Virginia’s Medicaid obligations. State officials estimated it would bring in nearly $300 million a year in new revenue.

Even before the action, the measure had little chance in the Republican-led House of Delegates, which can be counted on to oppose new or higher taxes. Virginia’s tax on cigarettes is among the lowest in the nation.

* A bill by Del. Adam Ebbin (D-49th) to require a 5-cent tax on single-use plastic bags from supermarkets and retail establishments also appears dead in the House Finance Committee.

* A measure by Hope to extend the mandatory retirement age for state judges from 70 to 73 died a quick death Jan. 16 in the lower house.

A subcommittee split 5-5, with one abstention, on reporting the legislation to the full Committee for Courts of Justice.

A similar measure from Del. Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria) also failed on a 5-5 vote.