Some lawmakers like Republican Ben Harbin suggest that the proposed $1 tobacco tax should be viewed as a fee that could bring in $300 million to the cash-strapped state. (Photo Courtesy: Georgia General Assembly)
Georgia has about 1,800 different fees. They cover court filings, inspections and professional licenses.
Most fees are expected to be raised as state lawmakers face a massive budget shortfall. Some members of the General Assembly suggest that the proposed $1 tobacco tax should be viewed as a fee, rather than a tax, and could bring in as much as $300 million.
House Appropriations Chair Ben Harbin (R - Evans) agrees, but he is not ready to push for the tobacco tax just yet.
"It probably fits in the fee category because if I don't smoke I don't use it. And we're looking at it. I just don't know if this is the year."
Harbin says everything is still on the table. Meanwhile, driver's licenses and hunting and fishing fees will not increase.
