By Randy Ellis Staff Writer rellis@oklahoman.comBills imposing a $1.50 per pack cessation fee on cigarette sales and a 1.25 percent sales tax on motor vehicle sales were being cobbled together by state lawmakers Tuesday night as they continued to look for ways to fill a $878 million budget hole. State lawmakers have been talking for months about levying a $1.50 per pack tax on cigarette sales, but have been unable to gather enough votes to pass the measure in the House. By making the revenue-generating measure a fee rather than a tax, legislative leaders believe only a majority vote would be needed for passage rather than a three-fourths supermajority. Efforts to avoid the three-fourths majority vote requirement also are behind the decision to turn to a 1.25 percent state sales tax on motor vehicle sales. Oklahomans currently pay an excise tax on motor vehicle purchases but are specifically exempt from paying a sales tax. Jon Echols, an attorney and House majority floor leader, said an examination of prior court decisions has led legislative leaders to believe that lawmakers can remove an exemption without triggering the three-votes vote required for a new tax. "According to the Supreme Court jurisprudence we have so far, restoring a tax rate doesn't require a three-fourths vote," said Echols, R-Oklahoma City.Read more on NewsOK.com