Tobacco Settlement Sparks Controversy

Just what issue you will get to decide concerning how the state should handle billions of dollars coming from the national tobacco settlement stirs heated debate in the House. The biggest fight centers on ballot language: whether voters will be given an option of authorizing tobacco money for health programs…or whether it becomes part of the formula to determine Hancock Amendment refunds. Representative Matt Bartle of Lee’s Summit claims the wording creates confusion, because voters won’t realize there are options if they reject the proposal. But Representative Brian May of St. Louis says voters are smart enough to study issues. The House sticks with the wording. If voters approve, 50% of the tobacco funds would go for health care, 20% for health science research and the rest for anti-smoking efforts.