Senator Hobson Comments on EDGE Report

“We’ve just received the report and haven’t yet had a chance to digest it in its entirety. I am encouraged by the emphasis the EDGE report places on improving the health of Oklahomans and its support of an increase in the tax on tobacco products.

“Healthcare is one of the most crucial issues facing our state and increasing the tax on cigarettes will serve multiple purposes – creating a disincentive to smoke, especially for our young people, and providing new resources with which we can develop a world-class cancer center and make healthcare services available to more Oklahomans.

“I commend Governor Henry for tackling this enormous task and for the bipartisan process that resulted in this report. I look forward to dissecting the details and working with the governor to – as he said – identify the issues on which we can build a consensus.”