Perdue says `sin tax' increases won't last forever

ATLANTA - Governor Perdue says he does not want his proposed ``sin tax&#39;&#39; increases to be permanent. <br> <br> He said Wednesday the proposed increased taxes on liquor and cigarettes would last four years and are designed to both raise money and address health problems. <br> <br> Perdue made the proposals to the state Legislature in an effort to deal with a huge shortfall and the state&#39;s sluggish economy. <br> <br> Perdue&#39;s spending package calls for no pay raises for teachers, university system professors or state employees, the first time that has happened in years. An estimated four-thousand vacancies will be held open in state government. Some 600 positions will be cut. <br> <br> Georgia&#39;s first Republican governor in 132 years delivered the unhappy message just three days into his administration. Democrats -- hoping to regain the governor&#39;s office in four years -- already are poised to fight him over raising taxes. <br> <br> Even some of Perdue&#39;s own Republicans are skittish. Some of them signed pledges last year to resist tax hikes. <br> <br> The governor made his remarks in a joint session of the House and Senate.