Republicans in the Indiana Senate are taking a pass on increasing the state cigarette tax.
The cigarette tax was part of the House Republican budget plan.
However, in a budget briefing this morning, State Senator Luke Kenley said he opposed increasing the cigarette tax with so much uncertainty in Washington over Medicaid funding.
In addition he said with the increases lawmakers were doing this year to pay for road funding he thought Hoosiers were being taxed enough.
The Republican budget also includes increases for K-12 education as well as higher ed. It includes about $16 million to expand early childhood education statewide. And money for teacher bonuses.
Lawmakers also provided more dollars for state police raises as well child protective services.
(This story will be updated.)
