Judge puts halt to tobacco fund raid by legislature

[The Straight Story]

Judge puts halt to tobacco fund raid by legislature


Ohio is not the first state to use money won through a lawsuit for purposes other than those intended. It may be about to become an example of why such abuse is not a good idea, however.

In 1998, Ohio was among several states that settled a massive lawsuit against tobacco companies. The Buckeye State's share of the proceeds was $10 billion. Much of that already has been spent for purposes other than helping victims of tobacco addiction and discouraging Ohioans from taking up the habit.

As they were scrambling to balance Ohio's $50.5 billion, two-year budget, Gov. Ted Strickland and legislators decided to use more of the tobacco settlement money for that purpose. About $250 million from the settlement fund was included in the state spending plan.

Last Tuesday, Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge David W. Fais ruled in a lawsuit filed over the plan. He has ordered that using the money for purposes other than curbing use of tobacco is improper.

State Attorney General Richard Cordray already has filed an appeal of Fais' decision.

If Fais' ruling is upheld, Strickland and legislators will have to go back to the budget drawing board. If that happens, they probably will decide to make up for the $250 million gap by cutting back on some Medicaid and other social service programs.

http://www.salemnews.net/page/content.detail/id/516768.html?nav=5002

Really, we just want the taxes to help stop smoking - but, uh, we need the money for other things which are more important.

[The Straight Story]

1. evening kick (nt)