Anti-Tax Group to Rally

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Opponents of a possible tax hike on cigarettes will rally on the steps of the Georgia Capitol.

The gathering Tuesday is sponsored by Altria, the owner Philip Morris - the nation's largest tobacco company. Scheduled to
headline the event is Grover Norquist, head of the national anti-tax group Americans for Tax Reform.

On Monday, supporters of a $1-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax descended on the Capitol. They say the tax hike would raise $354 million, helping Georgia close a huge budget shortfall at the same time helping reduce rates of smoking in the state.

But Republican leaders have been skeptical of the proposal saying the state needs to balance its books without raising taxes
on residents.

AP