Cuyahoga County voters approved Issue 55, a replacement and expansion of the tax on cigarettes that funds Cuyahoga Arts & Culture with 362,850 votes, 71.4%, to 145,591 vote, 28.6%, according to unofficial results from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.
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Issue 55 is asking voters to replace and expand the tax on cigarettes, which funds Cuyahoga County Arts & Culture, an arts and culture fund, according to its website. The levy will replace the current tax of 15 mills, or one and-a-half cents, per cigarette sold in the county with a tax of 35 mills, or three and-a-half cents, per cigarette. The levy is estimated to generate $160 million over 10 years, the website stated. It comes as a response to the decline in revenue as less cigarettes are sold in the area each year. The levy originally passed in 2006 and was re-approved in 2015, the website said. A majority affirmative vote is required for the levy to pass. |
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture is funded by a tax on cigarettes approved by voters in 2006 and re-approved in 2015. Levy funding allows Cuyahoga Arts & Culture to fund millions of arts and cultural experiences for residents each year, in every ZIP code across Cuyahoga County, according to its website.
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture revenue has declined by more than 50% since 2006, the website stated. While anticipated – as fewer cigarettes are sold each year – revenue continues to decline precipitously, reducing the funds available for grants to the nearly 300 nonprofits funded each year, the website stated.
The levy replaces the current tax of 15 mills, or 1½ cents, per cigarette sold in Cuyahoga County with a tax of 35 mills, or 3½ cents, per cigarette. The levy could generate an estimated $160 million over the next 10 years, according to the website.