Michigan Senate Votes To Use Tobacco Taxes For Capitol Fund

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Yearly funding for building maintenance on the Michigan Capitol and the governor's Lansing residence has passed the state Senate.

The legislation unanimously approved Wednesday would redistribute revenue from taxes on cigarettes. It allocates $3 million to the Capitol fund and between $50,000 and $200,000 to the official residence.

The money comes from the state's general fund and would be adjusted for inflation each year.

Republican bill sponsor Sen. Roger Kahn of Saginaw says the measure will avoid politically-charged debates over funding in future years. He says a much-needed renovation to the Capitol was difficult to approve during the economic recession when large cuts were made to the state budget.

Kahn says the bill ensures that in "good years or bad, this building for the people of Michigan will be maintained."

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