Any tax cuts which would serve to offset a proposed tax increase must be assured of passage in both houses prior to any tax increase. This was not the case with the "proposed" Veterans' Pension Tax Exemption Amendment. This credit was dependent upon the vote of the people, and was not assured. These games are too commonly played in the House and Senate in West Virginia. The tobacco tax issue as a means of controlling it's use may be a lofty goal. Yet, it is assumed that this tax will fund ongoing programs. This is contradictory. I have asked the health officials and others to offset this new tax with an equal or greater tax cut on food and we will be more apt to see the sincereity of the "tax to control usage issue". Until then, a tax is a tax and will be levied upon the poor who cannot afford to pay.