OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A
state board has certified $26.8 million in earnings from Oklahoma's
share of the tobacco settlement money to use this year on health care
programs and to reduce tobacco use in the state.
The Oklahoma Tobacco
Settlement Endowment Trust Board of Investors certified the earnings
during its regular meeting Wednesday. The board oversees the investment
of Oklahoma's share of the national Master Settlement Agreement that
states reached with tobacco companies in 1998.
In 2000, Oklahoma voters
approved the creation of a constitutionally protected endowment to fund
health programs. The endowment now receives 75% of Oklahoma's share of
the tobacco settlement money and currently contains more than $700
million. The other 25% of the tobacco money is appropriated by the
Legislature.
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