Wisconsin tribes could see tobacco sales increase

Tuesday, February 27, 2007  

Wisconsin tribes could see an extra $20 million in tax revenues if the state increases the cigarette tax.

Under compacts with the state, 11 tribes collect an equivalent state tax and submit it to the state. They receive 70 percent back, and they can receive up to 30 percent for sales to tribal members

According to The Green Bay Press-Gazette, the tribes have collected more than $83 million in taxes and have received $59.6 million, or 72 percent, back. If the state increases the tax by $1.25 a pack, the tribes could see even more sales.

"The more difficult Wisconsin makes it for people to buy cigarettes, the more they are going to come to the tribes," observed Tony Phillippe, tribal planning and program coordinator for the Sokaogan Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.

Get the Story:
Tribes weigh cigarette tax hike's fallout (The Green Bay Press-Gazette 2/27)
Lawmaker worried tribes may drop cigarette tax (The Green Bay Press-Gazette 2/27)