Committee hears split testimony on bill to raise cigarette and nicotine taxes, restore public-health funding House Finance heard detailed staff and sponsor briefings on SB 61-29, which would raise the cigarette tax to $5 a pack, impose a 95% tax on nicotine products by price, and direct up to $10 million a year to youth prevention; public-health groups supported the bill while retailers and some industry groups warned of regressivity and illicit-market risks.

A proposed bill in Washington could raise cigarette taxes to $5 a pack and redirect millions to youth tobacco prevention, but not everyone is on board.

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Public Health Madison & Dane County proposes cost-to-continue 2026 budget; requests 17% licensed‑establishment fee increase for three years Janelle Heinrich told the joint city–county finance meeting the public health levy is shared 56% county / 44% city; the department seeks to achieve a 4% reduction directed by the county executive while proposing a 17% increase in licensed-establishment fees to be applied for three years to make the program fee-supported.

Public Health Madison & Dane County is proposing a significant 17% increase in licensed-establishment fees to maintain essential services while navigating a new budget directive.

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