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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah Gov. Gary Herbert says he probably won't veto an increase in the tobacco tax.
Herbert told reporters Thursday that as long as a negotiated budget deal with legislative leaders stands, the tax increase will go into law.
Lawmakers have already voted to raise the tobacco tax by about $1 for a pack of cigarettes.
Herbert has said he opposes any tax increases in a recession, but never vowed to veto them. Herbert says increasing the tax will allow the state to keep from cutting public education's budget even further.
The public education budget will get cut by $10 million, or less than 1 percent under the budget Herbert is expected to sign into law.
The legislative session ends Thursday at midnight.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
