Cigarette tax unfair to some businesses

Alaska has gained a national reputation for being a friendly place for small businesses. Our graduated scale for corporate income taxes is viewed as a fair and equitable way for businesses to pay taxes, and it is especially fair to small businesses. However, cigarette taxes - like the one being proposed by the Juneau Assembly - places an unfair burden on small enterprises, especially convenience store owners and other retailers.

The current economic recession has made it difficult enough for many small businesses to stay open. Placing an additional tax burden on them now would only make matters worse.

Instead of a new Juneau tax, perhaps changing our spending should be the priority.

Robert Rodman

Juneau