Massachusetts gets extra $542M from cigarette, gas taxes
BOSTON — Massachusetts taxpayers have shelled out an extra $542 million since state lawmakers voted three years ago to hike the tax on cigarettes and gasoline, with none of the cigarette revenue going directly to anti-smoking programs.
That's rankled some activists, who have turned their attention to pushing for a ban on the sale of tobacco products to those under 21.
From September 2013 through the end of May, smokers have plunked down an extra $285 million from the new $1-per-pack hike tax, according to information provided to the Associated Press by the Executive Office of Administration and Finance.
Drivers paid an extra $257 million to fill up their tanks as a result of the 3-cent-per-gallon increase.
Read more: http://www.telegram.com/news/20160710/massachusetts-gets-extra-542m-from-cigarette-gas-taxes
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All the lovely, lovely things that increasing taxes and having the lottery were supposed to do for us? 
