Georgia Senate Approves Income-Tax Break for Cigarette Plant in Macon.(Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News)

Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, March, 2000 by Kempner, Matt

Mar. 17--The Georgia Senate handed cigarette giant Brown & Williamson an estimated $2 million annual tax break Thursday, just three years after the state filed a lawsuit accusing cigarette companies of ruining Georgians' health.

Supporters say the legislation could help keep a Brown & Williamson cigarette manufacturing plant in Macon, where the company has 3,000 workers and is one of the area's largest private employers.

"This is an important business to the state of Georgia with a payroll of $155 million annually," Sen. Robert Brown (D-Macon) said.

But some legislators have questioned the morality and wisdom of creating the tax break.

Sen. Phill Gingrey, a physician from Marietta, objected to the bill from the Senate floor,...

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