Pocono News Section

Workers Concerned About Proposed Cigar Tax

Workers Concerned About Proposed Cigar Tax - Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 4:26PM EST

Reported by: David DeCosmo WYOU TV News
Wednesday, Feb 4, 2009 @ 04:26pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- Workers at a Scranton factory say they're concerned about a new tax on cigars that's been proposed by Governor Ed Rendell. That tax is included in the Governor's proposed budget for next year.

Dom Keating, President of Avanti Cigar in Scranton, says such a tax would hurt his company's ability to compete. Keating says it would also come on the heels of a new Federal tax that's already hit the industry.

Avanti workers like Renee Anglin agree. She has worked at the company for over 20 years. She calls the proposed new state tax 'A big threat' to local jobs.

Avanti has been in the city of Scranton for the past 79 years. The company has about 50 people on its payroll.