Arkansas’ “sin” tax is proving to be a popular source for politicians seeking new revenue for state programs this year. 

Gov. Mike Beebe is proposing a 56-cent per pack increase in the state cigarette tax to fund health programs. Now comes state Sen. Hank Wilkins, D-Pine Bluff, who proposes a 5 percent tax increase on liquor and wine to fund a variety of substance abuse and treatment programs.

Wilkins announced his proposal today during a rally at the Capitol. He says about 70 percent of the $27 million a year the increase would raise would be divided among adult treatment programs and programs for women and teenagers. 

The rest would go to the state Department of Human Services’ community-based services for seniors, the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Domestic Peace Fund.

The Treatment Providers Association of Arkansas is pushing the proposal. Wilkins filed a similar bill during the 2007 session. It passed the Senate but failed in the House.

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