[Vision2020] S.J.R. 107

[Sue Hovey]

Ted,  I have talked with all three of our legislators about SJR 107 because I simply didn't understand what it was trying to do.  Our legislators all supported it and feel it is a good way to guarantee the use of the tobacco money for the appropriate measures.  

Sue 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ted Moffett 
  To: Bruce and Jean Livingston 
  Cc: Vision2020 
  Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2006 3:41 PM
  Subject: Re: [Vision2020] S.J.R. 107


  Bruce-

  Thanks for your response on S.J.R. 107.

  As far as I can ascertain, voting "Yes" on S.J.R. 107 appears to be reasonable.  But legislation can have many unexpected and hidden consequences, as we all know, and is sometimes presented to the voter deliberately to hide these consequences.  I was expecting someone might be in the know about the possible unexpected or hidden consequences of a "Yes" vote on this issue. 

  Ted Moffett


  On 11/5/06, Bruce and Jean Livingston <jeanlivingston at turbonet.com> wrote: 
    My understanding is that Idaho received a proportionate share of money received from tobacco companies as part of a national settlement of class action lawsuits against tobacco companies.  If my understanding is correct, the money has been used by the Legislature on general state spending in times of state government economic hardship, and has not been spent on health and education issues that relate to tobacco smoking as the settlement was originally intended.  The issue on the ballot is an attempt to create a separate endowment for this money, isolating it from the State's general fund and preserving it for use in tobacco related uses of anti-tobacco education and to alleviate negative impacts of tobacco caused illnesses on our health care system.  

    The Lewiston Tribune had this editorial regarding it this morning:
      SJR 107: Another amendment, but a less controversial and less dangerous one, this creates a permanent endowment fund that would receive 80 percent of Idaho's revenue from the multistate settlement with tobacco companies. This will protect that share of the receipts from being used for ordinary state spending, as has happened in the past. It's a smart move, and deserves your support. 
    Perhaps Reps. Trail or Ringo, or someone else in the know, might elaborate on this, as I am writing from a general feeling or vague recollection, and although I think that I am speaking accurately, I might inadvertently be mischaracterizing the facts in some fashion.

    Bruce Livingston

      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Ted Moffett 
      To: Vision2020 
      Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 11:59 AM
      Subject: [Vision2020] S.J.R. 107 



      All-

      My team of Boston lawyers kept on the payroll to explain complex legal language that might mislead is on vacation...

      This might not be the hottest political issue or race on the ballot, but can anyone offer their opinion on S.J.R. 107, which will create something called the Idaho Millennium Permanent Endowment Fund for tobacco settlement funds, etc.? 

      Ted Moffett


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   List services made available by First Step Internet, 
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