(Columbia-AP) March 18, 2003 - Governor Mark Sanford's plan to raise cigarette taxes could test the commitment of legislators who have pledged not to vote for tax increases.

A national taxpayer group says it is exploring whether Sanford's plan to raise the cigarette tax in exchange for a lower income tax is a violation of a no tax pledge he and some legislators signed. The group, Americans for Tax Reform, had said last week that the plan would be a violation.

Sanford's idea is to raise state taxes on cigarettes to 53 cents a pack, up from 7 cents a pack, to raise $150 million a year for Medicaid programs. But, the governor wants the higher tobacco taxes to be offset through a reduction in the state's income tax.

Republican House Majority Leader Rick Quinn says he believes a cigarette tax would violate the pledge.

Posted 1:14am by BrettWitt