[Vision2020] S.J.R. 107

[Bruce and Jean Livingston]

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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