Dole Touts Tobacco's Value For Economy

Source from:  witntv.com Feb 1, 2008 02/02/2008

Senator Elizabeth Dole said those who want to tax the tobacco industry to fund children's health programs don't appreciate the value of the golden leaf in North Carolina. The Republican senator spoke Friday to the Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina. She told growers that members of Congress are threatening the tobacco economy of the state with a proposal to increase tobacco taxes to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program. North Carolina is the largest tobacco producing state in the country, and Dole said it was "grossly unfair" for the Congress to tax the industry. The leading Democratic candidates to unseat Dole in this year's election have railed against her for failing to expand the children's health program. Enditem