back

 

Debate and Issues Archive

draft settlement

Wisconsin Committee Allocates $31 Million For Tobacco Control

Wisconsin's Joint Finance Committee agreed on Tuesday to spend $30.9 million annually on tobacco control programs.

The committee voted 10-6, with two Republicans joining eight Democrats, to replace Gov. Tommy Thompson's plan to spend $5.2 million on cancer research and smoking prevention.

The plan will be part of the state budget making its way through the Finance Committee. Once approved by this committee, the budget is rarely changed by the Senate or Assembly.

"These legislators are literally saving lives," said Carrie Sullivan, spokesperson for a coalition of 100 organizations.

Source(s):
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, (5/19/99) "Lawmakers put $31 million toward anti-smoking programs," Richard P. Jones of the Journal Sentinel staff. [Full Text: here]