COLUMBUS, OHIO (CN) - Two longtime smokers claim the State of Ohio has unconstitutionally raided the $270 tobacco settlement fund to spend $230 million on purposes that have nothing to do with tobacco and its related illnesses.
The smokers challenge BG 544, which Gov. Ted Strickland signed on May 6. The bill will use $230 million to create a "Jobs Fund," which the plaintiffs claim is vaguely defined, or not defined at all, and which has nothing to do with tobacco related illness or education. They want the bill declared unconstitutional. They are represented in Franklin County Court by John Zieger with Zieger, Tigges & Little.
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