Rising of cigarette tax will help to improve Tennessee education

“Students First” plan was recently supported by Tennessee government which is focused on improving quality of primary and secondary education of Tennessee state.

In general plan is going to be realized through increasing taxes on cigarettes, from 20 to 60 cents. Money that will be collected will be offered for supporting education.

Raise with 40% of tobacco taxes will result a good sum of $220 million annually. This numbers were offered by Governor Phil Bredeson that was initiated the implementation of cigarette strategy.

According to Bredeson strategy, tobacco’ money will be allocated in following way: $ 120 million for high-risk students, $27 million for high schools with large growth rates, and the additional funds would be used for anti-smoking campaigns as well as aid in the battle of rising tuition and fee costs in universities.

Another supporter, Richard Brown that is vice chancellor of finance and operations, purposed additional plan for using money for high education. As vice chancellor sustain, university system needed for around $48 to $50 million for equipment, lighting and new buildings, including the new library. About libraries for universities he added: "I’d love to see the Lupton Library project for $48 million be funded".

Also, significant is Brown ‘purpose about augmentation of 5% to faculty salaries and compensations. To below affirmation he said: “University has a duty to keep the faculty salaries comparable to other area colleges. I’m very much concerned that if we do not stay competitive with faculty salaries then we run the risk of losing qualified faculty to other states.”

To above affirmations he added: “In order for me to give students a quality degree, I must put quality faculty in those classrooms delivering the highest quality of instruction and research that’s available. I think students deserve that, and I certainly think our faculty deserves to be paid well for what they do.”

All this great plans didn’t stop here. On agenda of future improving there are following important policies: improve operating budgets across the university that include travel, the professional development of faculty and staff, equipment and technology, to expand student services that would consist of everything from student health to a more active campus, discount in tuition for certain students who are attending the university from out of state.

It seems to be a very good plan that with help of cigarettes will came true.

Opinions of students are constructive. For example, John Schneider, a Norfolk, Va., sophomore, said:” Even if the tax is raised to 60 cents, it’s still cheaper than where I am from”.

Another sophomore, Jessica Langston that study in Chattanooga said that “although increasing the cigarette tax is an odd way to increase funds for education” she is pro, and she hopes that in near future university will offer new facilities.