2/16/2011 Leesburg to increase cigarette tax | Lo…

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Leesburg to increase cigarette tax

W e dne sday, Fe b. 16 by Laura Pe te rs, Tim e s-Miror Staff W rite r | 5 com m e nts | Em ail this story

The Town of Leesburg will raise cigarette taxes May 1.

Smokers purchasing cigarette packs within the town limits will face a 25-cent increase per pack,
as a result of a tax hike from 50 cents to 75 cents. This will create $300,000 of additional
revenue, according to Bob Berkey, Leesburg’s senior management analyst.

The tax hike was passed at the Leesburg Town Council meeting Feb. 8 by a 6-1 vote, with
council member Ken Reid dissenting.

It is the town’s first tax increase since April 2003. Many neighboring jurisdictions, mostly in
Northern Virginia, regularly instate tax hikes on cigarettes.

Reid voted against the increase because he said raising the rate would push potential buyers
outside the town limits to purchase their cigarettes, leading to decreased revenue for the town.

“This is not a growing source of revenue, because Leesburg is a town. People can easily go across
city or town lines and buy their cigarettes there for cheaper,” he said.

Council member Marty Martinez disagreed.

“I don’t think it’s enough for people to stop buying cigarettes,” said Leesburg Town Council Most Popular in News
member Marty Martinez. “I don’t see any downside to this. If we lose revenue, that means we’re Frida y, Fe b. 11 | 9311 vie ws
going to have healthier residents who live longer and who will pay taxes longer.” UPDAT E: Depu ties identify m an
killed during alleged Sterling Park
In addition to lost revenue, Reid was also concerned with the timing of the vote. He believed the hom e inv asion
vote should have been brought up during the town’s next meeting, when the discussion will
Thursday, Fe b. 10 | 3474 vie ws
center on its fiscal 2012 budget. Reid also said he has a problem with increasing any tax because Federal judge denies T ribby bail
it gives government more money to play with. requ est
Sunday, Fe b. 13 | 1960 vie ws
“I’m trying to shrink the size of government – that’s a good thing. We’re overloaded. When you T he face of im m igration: An
vote on tax increases, the workload increases,” he said. Am erican story and a Virginia
debate
Contact the writer at lpeters@timespapers.com.
Tue sday, Fe b. 15 | 1882 vie ws
T hree suspects nam ed in Sterling
hom e inv asion
Comments Frida y, Fe b. 11 | 1205 vie ws
UPDAT E: Race for Board of
W e d, Fe b 16 at 03:36 PM by Townie: Superv isors Catoctin seat picks u p
speed

So, Martinez voted to up taxes on smokes so people could be healthier so they

can “live longer and pay taxes longer…” Typical liberal Democratic mentality—
the purpose of the individual is to live long enough to pay taxes to the state!
Stay
Connected
W e d, Fe b 16 at 02:57 PM by Concerned taxpayer:

I sometimes think that Ken Reid is the only person on that Council who even
bothers to ask questions and not just vote blindly for tax and spending increases.
Follow Us
Mayor Umstattd and Tom Dunn are right behind him. on Twitter
Ne ws | Spo rts

W e d, Fe b 16 at 02:33 PM by Crazy Ivan:

The surrounding “non-town” shops can jack up their prices accordingly and it’ll

loudountimes.com/…/leesburg_to_incr… 1/2
2/16/2011 Leesburg to increase cigarette tax | Lo…
be pure profit. Y our’re gonna buy smokes and you’re gonna pay for em. Pretty Like Us
on Facebook
soon you’ll be spending 5 bucks in gas to save 25 cents. Ne ws | Spo rts

W e d, Fe b 16 at 12:31 PM by smooth flavor:

sleezeburg ain’t worth living in any more. They have gotten way to big for their Subscribe
via RSS
britches. just travel to rt.15 and 704 and buy your ciggs. Ne ws | Spo rts

W e d, Fe b 16 at 12:06 PM by salsa girl:

Good Grief! Hey, Marty you are a moron. Join Our

Email List
Y es, the residents of Leesburg will cross over and buy their cigarettes elsewhere, Sign up for
we e k ly update s
as they should, if only to prove a point. Oh yes - they will live longer - only in
Florida, where they will move to because no one will live in Leesburg any longer
because taxes will continue to climb.

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