Proposed cigarette tax could help UTC funding

By Michael Elrod
Staff ReporterA new plan aims to increase the tax on cigarettes from 20 to 60 cents and allocates the additional profit to support Tennessee education, according to state government officials.

The plan supported by Governor Phil Bredeson, is called "Students First!," and the main objective is to improve the quality of primary and secondary education, according to Bredeson. The tax would reportedly impact only 25 percent of the population, and the 40 percent increase is estimated to bring in about $220 million annually, according to Bredeson.

Laura Kozlowski, a Chicago, Ill., senior, said she supports the new proposal because it's an incentive to help her quit smoking. Cigarettes are bad for your health, and they cost a lot of money, she said.

"Every year, you could save over a thousand dollars," Kozlowski said. "Think of what you could do with that money."

John Schneider, a Norfolk, Va., sophomore, said even if the tax is raised to 60 cents, it's still cheaper than where he is from.

He also said he doesn't feel the new tax will decrease the number of smokers in Tennessee.

A preliminary strategy, which Bredeson announced last week, would allow $120 million be spent for high-risk students, $27 million for high schools with large growth rates, and the additional funds would be used for anti-smoking campaigns as well as aid in the battle of rising tuition and fee costs in universities.

Jessica Langston, a Chattanooga sophomore, said although increasing the cigarette tax is an odd way to increase funds for education, she supports the idea and hopes the university gets the funding for new facilities.

Richard Brown, vice chancellor of finance and operations, said he has already developed plans for using the money.

According to Brown, the university system has asked for around $48 to $50 million to help fund base improvements like equipment, lighting and new buildings, including the new library the university has requested.

"I'd love to see the Lupton Library project for $48 million be funded," he said.

Brown also stressed the importance of increasing faculty salaries.

"The university has a duty to keep the faculty salaries comparable to other area colleges," Brown said. "I'm very much concerned that if we do not stay competitive with faculty salaries then we run the risk of losing qualified faculty to other states."

Brown said he would like a 5 percent increase in faculty compensation and salary.

"In order for me to give students a quality degree, I must put quality faculty in those classrooms delivering the highest quality of instruction and research that's available," Brown said. "I think students deserve that, and I certainly think our faculty deserve to be paid well for what they do."

Brown said students play a role in the university's budget and financial planning committee.

The university will hold public meetings to discuss where the money will be spent if UTC was granted additional funds, he said.

He said he would like to improve operating budgets across the university. "I want to make sure that every department has adequate operating funds basic to do the job," Brown said.

This includes travel, the professional development of faculty and staff, equipment and technology.

He said he would also like to expand student services.

This area would include everything from student health to a more active campus.

Brown said, "We are a residential campus now, and there is a big call for student support services."

A discount in tuition for certain students who are attending the university from out of state is also on the agenda, Brown said.

"Those communities have become 'bedroom communities' for UTC," he said.

"We'd love to see organizations view education as a partnership, and I think we've got to somehow demonstrate to them our real value in that process," Brown said.

Brown said the university cannot depend solely on the state for funds.

The university has formed different strategic groups to develop or enhance UTC's mission statement to help allocate funds to the appropriate places, he said.

But if the 40 percent cigarette tax proposal does not pass into law, and education receives no additional support, then the educational system could face many high risks.

Brown said tuition and fees could possibly shoot above the $10,000 range.

That would be severe for students who rely on financial aid, he said.

For primary and secondary education, Brown said: "It runs the risk of continuing the erosion of our K-12 system, and I don't think any of us can afford that. For this state to compete on a national and international level, we must have an educated work force."

Brown encouraged students to get involved in passing the bill into law.

Students have a loud voice, so don't be afraid to call the legislature and voice your opinion, he said.

"Student voices can be heard a lot better than mine," he said.