Ohio Supreme Court OKs shifting Tobacco Fund money

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous decision yesterday that the state Legislature could use the $230 million remaining in tobacco fund money for other purposes (Source: “Tobacco money transfer OK,” Associated Press via Akron Beacon Journal, Dec. 23, 2010).

In 2008, the General Assembly and Gov. Ted Strickland reached a bipartisan agreement to liquidate the Ohio Tabacco Use Prevention and Control Fund, and use the money for other purposes, which ultimately included, among other things, expanding Medicaid benefits for children earning between 200 percent and 300 percent of the federal poverty level.

The money in the tobacco prevention fund came from the landmark settlement Ohio and other states reached with tobacco companies to resolve lawsuits over the effects of smoking. Ohio's share was $10.1 billion and was originally to be used to anti-smoking initiatives.