Colorado Lawmakers Find Deal In Cigarette Tax

DENVER (AP) — Colorado lawmakers at odds over whether to continue certain cigarette taxes found an unexpected compromise with a Republican proposal to use the money to help students pay for college.

The deal would direct the $28 million expected to be raised from the tax next fiscal year to the College Opportunity Fund program. It's a stipend program created in 2006 for students to pay toward their tuition at a college of their choice.

Republicans spent Friday morning arguing against the tax. They said it grows government at the expense of the poor. Democrats argued the tax would encourage healthy behavior.

Republicans proposed the amendment to direct the tax money to college fund and Democrats agreed.

The tax faces a final vote in the House before the Senate considers it.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)