The Omaha City Council on Tuesday approve an amended 3-percent tax on tobacco products to help pay for a new UNMC cancer center.
The council vote was 5-2, with Council members Jean Stothert and Franklin Thompson voting against it. Both say they support the building of the cancer center, but not in the manner that was passed.
Last week the amount of the tax was reduced from seven to four and a half percent. Today Councilman Chris Jerram's amendment to lower it to 3 percent passed.
Thompson said the new cancer center will be used by people all over the state and should be supported by all Nebraskans and not just Omaha residents.
Councilwoman Stothert proposed two amendments and both failed. One would have required a public vote on the issue and the other would have delayed a vote for four weeks.
