Don Nickles: “I did not do it because I was not comfortable with it. I did not do it because I do not want to introduce a bill that…”

“I did not do it because I was not comfortable with it. I did not do it because I do not want to introduce a bill that says tobacco companies will be exempt from class action suits. I did not do it because I looked at look-back assessments and said, ``That's no way to tax.'' I think there is a right way to tax and a wrong way to tax. This is the wrong way to tax. And so to attack me and say that if I am against look-back penalties I am also against every health professional or expert is ridiculous. I think this is a crummy way to tax. I have told my colleagues, you want a tax? Tax. Call it a tax. Don't hide behind saying, ``It's a fee. It's an assessment.''”