The House will return to session August 4 to consider House Bill 1177 (Lucas-R-Crawford) authorizing Philadelphia to impose a new cigarette tax to fund Philly schools, but everything else on the Calendar is fair game too.

The Senate this week amended House Bill 1177 (Lucas-R-Crawford), which would authorize Philadelphia to adopt a $2/pack tax on cigarettes to help fund its schools, to include language the House dropped from the Fiscal Code bill relating to the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone Program and sent it back to the House for its concurrence.

When asked about House action on the Philly cigarette tax, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) said he would have preferred the bill did not include the CRIZ Program and the other provisions added by the Senate.

NewsClips:

House To Reconvene On Philly Cigarette Tax

No Philly School Layoffs If Cigarette Tax OK’d By Aug. 15

Budget Bill Passes, Philly Schools In Limbo

Senate Action Delays Philly Cigarette Tax

No Pressure From Big Tobacco On Cigarette Tax

7/14/2014