Zata|3 congratulates the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program (MHAP) on their victory in the State House in attaining a $1 per pack cigarette tax.  For four years, MHAP and allies have fought for a cigarette tax hike to help fund Medicaid in the state, and on January 14th, they got the votes they needed in the House.  This was especially gratifying for the team at Zata|3, because MHAP was our first grassroots client in 2005.

The first major bill on the 2009 legislative calendar, the Cigarette tax needed a super-majority to pass the House. The work in the off season had netted a simple majority for the bill but MHAP needed additional votes to ensure passage. They turned to Zata|3 for a voter outreach program in nine targeted legislative districts. After the weekend calls that put constituents in touch with their lawmakers, enough of the fence straddlers voted for passage that the tax measure will now go to the State Senate.

This initial victory was especially gratifying for Zata|3, because MHAP was our first grassroots client in 2005.  MHAP and its allies are hard at work in the Upper Chamber and are optimistic that we will see some revenue enhancements dedicated to health care in the 2009 session.  Zata|3 stands ready to help with Wave 2 of the advocacy campaign.