Higher taxes approved on tabacco

In a vote likely averting a government shutdown, the West Virginia House of Delegates has approved higher taxes on cigarettes, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products. The GOP-led House voted 63-35 on Monday for the tobacco tax hike, which would raise $98 million toward patching a $270 million budget gap. The Republican-majority Senate already passed the tax hike in a deal with Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. Without a budget, the government would shut down July 1.