Recently the governor of Vermont proposed that cigarette taxes in Vermont should be increased substantially, from 44 cents a pack to 66 cents a pack. He estimates that Vermont can raise $20 million in revenue from this tax hike
He also pointed out that the neighboring state of New Hampshire was considering an increase in cigarette taxes. a. How can it be that an increase in cigarette taxes will increase tax revenue, because, after all, a higher tax will increase cigarette prices and thereby decrease the quantity demanded? b. If New Hampshire chooses not to increase cigarette taxes, is it likely that Vermont can still raise $20 million in tax revenue? Why or why not? Explain
a. The governor knows that cigarettes have an inelastic demand. If the price of cigarettes increases because of a tax, smokers will not decrease their consumption of cigarettes substantially. The percentage change in the quantity will be less than the percentage change in the price and the total tax revenue will increase.
b. If New Hampshire does not increase its taxes, it is less likely that Vermont will be able to raise the $20 million in tax revenue. The reason is because for many people cigarettes from New Hampshire are a good substitute for cigarettes from Vermont. Thus many people from Vermont will buy their cigarettes in New Hampshire, thereby decreasing the total increase in tax revenue in Vermont.
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People who run their own businesses
A) can keep their labor costs down by not hiring any employees. B) have lower labor costs if they dislike working for anyone else than if they don't mind working for others. C) have no labor costs unless the business is incorporated. D) have the same labor costs as people who hire employees to run their businesses.
In the past few years two deviations from U.S. free trade policies have been _________________ and ______________________.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).