House Committee Approves Cigarette Tax, Other Revenue Bills
An Alabama budget committee has approved a cigarette tax increase and other revenue bills as lawmakers try to fill a budget shortfall.
The House Ways and Means Committee voted 8-6 for a 25-cent-per-pack cigarette tax increase. The increase would raise $66 million annually. The committee originally rejected the increase during the first special legislative session.
The committee also voted for bills to raise the car rental tax from 1.5 to 2 percent; increase the car title fee from $15 to $28; and adjusts the business privilege tax so smaller businesses pay less and larger ones pay more.
Lawmakers for months have been at a stalemate over a projected $200 million general fund shortfall. The committee action was the first sign of budding agreement. However, the proposals face difficult floor and Senate votes ahead.
The House could vote on the tax bills Thursday.
Photo by Fried Dough 
Hegseth says the U.S. will reposition military amid threat from China
At an international forum in Singapore, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. is refocusing its strength and policies on deterring China, and coaxed China's neighbors and U.S. allies to help.
‘Mountainhead’ skewers the tech elite — and it’s very satisfying
Four super-rich tech leaders gather for a poker weekend in a mountain mansion while AI technology leads to global chaos in the new HBO film from Succession creator Jesse Armstrong.
Why Sacred Harp singers are revamping an iconic pre-Civil War hymnal
A new edition of “The Sacred Harp,” a Christian hymnal first published in 1844, is being released this year. It helps carry on the more than 180-year-old American folk singing tradition that is as much about the community as it is the music.
Trump pardons drug kingpins even as he escalates U.S. drug war rhetoric
President Trump has promised to attack drug gangs and called for the death penalty for street dealers. But he has also pardoned more than 20 people serving time for serious drug crimes some involving violence.
A disabled mom’s message to parents: We all need help, and it’s OK to ask for it
Raising two kids while living with an autonomic nervous system disorder taught Jessica Slice to embrace interdependence. Her story is a reminder to parents of the power of asking for help.
Memory cafes offer camaraderie and fun for people with dementia — and their caregivers
'Memory cafes' are small social gatherings for individuals with dementia — and their caregivers, too. As public health funding shrinks, memory cafes are cheap to run and can offer measurable benefits.
