The Return of the {not so healthy} Healthy Kids Plan and Cigarette Tax

That's right: the Healthy Kids Plan is coming back...again.

HB 3558 (which you can view Here) sponsored by those champions of children -- Representatives KOTEK, GELSER, and GREENLICK.

This version of the bill is different from the original (to see the original bill click Here.) It adds a referral to the voters and streamlines the bill substantially.

As you can see, to the left (click to zoom in), the bill went through first reading last Friday. It was subsequently referred to Revenue, and a Public Hearing and possible WORK SESSION have been scheduled for Thursday, May 31.

Do the Democrats think they can pick up the 5 Republican votes needed (I count Berger as a Democrat)? Is that why they are trying it again?

With the added referral to the voters, could that change the dynamics of a vote? The Dems could possibly pick up votes from Jenson, Bruun, and Nelson. Bruun is actually on the record saying he supports a tobacco tax, he just did not like how the Healthy Kids Plan was set up.

With the exception of Ms. RINO Berger the Republicans stood strong against the bill last time, hopefully they can do it again.

One more thing. Is this bill currently pushing through the process in the dark? I have heard nothing about it from the media, as of late. I wonder what the motive is there?