Raise the food tax?

I enjoyed the discussion on the stimulus and whether it will lead to inflation. But when “takeaneconomicscourse” used the Ron Paul card, I figured it was time to move on. Watch those low blows, people.
Let’s turn to the state budget, which is at least $1 billion in the hole. Yesterday the editorial board met with Rep. Kay McIff, R-Richfield. He has a plan to raise the state sales tax

on food. (Read the story here.)
Someone recently sent us a letter to the editor that summed this up. The state, he said, would be raising the tax on green beans but not on cigarettes. What kind of message does that send?
Well said.
I believe McIff is sincere. He thinks the tax would raise $180 million, which would cover the cost of programs for the poor that otherwise might be cut. But that’s giving his fellow lawmakers a lot of credit. Programs for the poor tend to be the least of their concerns.
If you remember, the state has been gradually reducing the food tax, with the thought of eliminating it completely.
I might support an emergency food tax, but only if the bill specifically calls for it to expire in two years, and only if someone could guarantee the money would go toward social-service programs.
But I would not support it without a large increase in cigarette taxes and the use of Rainy Day funds, along with, of course, intelligent cuts.
Those are probably enough conditions to make it politically impossible to pass.
What do you think the state should do to balance the books?