Attorney General Jay Nixon defends his contract with Springfield lawyer Tom Strong to work for the state in the $6.7 billion dollar tobacco settlement. Nixon points out the contract specifies Strong will be paid by the tobacco companies after the lawsuit is settled. The issue has come before a special panel of the State Supreme Court, because State Senator Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau filed suit. He disagrees with Nixon that attorney fees will NOT reduce the amount coming to the state. Kinder argues the contract should have been subject to the normal legislative appropriations process.