Taft Unveils 2007-2008 Tobacco Settlement Budget
COLUMBUS, OHIO (May 2, 2006) - Governor Bob Taft today submitted his recommendations for the Ohio tobacco settlement budget for FY 2007-2008, calling for continued support for the state's school rebuilding program, on-going investment in the Third Frontier Project and funding for important health care services.
"I am pleased that we will continue to support the programs we worked together to create and fund when the tobacco settlement agreement was reached," Taft said. "These recommendations reflect my priorities and I am proud of the strategic investments we're making in education, health and economic development that will benefit Ohioans now and for many years to come."
Specifically, the budget recommendations include:
Continuing School Construction – $648.5 million is provided to continue the state's plan to rebuild Ohio's schools. These additional dollars will allow the state to continue funding its share of over 300 school building projects currently underway.
Advancing Biomedical Research – $48.9 million is recommended for biomedical research projects, an essential piece of the Third Frontier Project, to create high-paying jobs and improve the health of Ohioans.
Helping Tobacco Farmers – $20.7 million is provided to help farmers replace the production of tobacco with other agriculture products and to help ease the economic transition as a result of reduced tobacco production in Ohio's traditional tobacco growing region.
Promoting Ohio's Health Priorities – $34.2 million is proposed to address several of Ohio's health priorities. Funding is recommended for continuing important programs in the areas of minority health, drug abuse prevention and special health needs of uninsured and underinsured Ohioans.
The spending plan was introduced today in the Ohio Senate. Office of Budget and Management Director Tim Keen is scheduled to testify before the Senate Finance and Financials Institutions Committee on Wednesday, May 3, 2006. The budget proposal is available online at www.obm.ohio.gov.
