Huffpost New York   Audrey Silk Headshot   Posted: Updated:
This past Tuesday New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo presented
the state's Executive Budget for 2012-2013.  Ensuing headlines
reflected the words of State Budget Director Robert Megna and of
the governor who said, "This budget closes the remaining deficit
with no gimmicks [and] no tricks," and "No one shots, no new
fees, and no new taxes," respectively. Governor Cuomo added that
there'd be "No surprises. It's not a Cracker Jack box. You're
not going to find anything at the bottom of it."  The
unmitigated gall. Found near the bottom of the budget briefing
book is this most unwelcome (booby) prize:  Loophole Closing
Actions The Executive Budget proposes two loophole closing
actions related to tobacco products. These actions are expected
to produce $18 million on an All Funds basis in Fiscal Year
2012-13.  • Cigar Tax. Because the cigar tax is imposed on the
wholesale rather than retail price, the current cigar tax has a
potentially inequitable impac