House Republican Press Release

June 7, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

LEGISLATURE PASSES SCRIBNER LEGISLATION THAT WILL USE SETTLEMENT FUNDS FOR TOBACCO EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Requires State To Use Funds For Their Original Purpose

HARTFORD- On Wednesday, June 6, the State Senate gave final legislative approval to legislation introduced by David A. Scribner (R-Brookfield, Bethel) that will designate a minimum of $3 million dollars from the Tobacco Settlement Fund to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) for tobacco education programs designed to discourage smoking among students in grades one through eight throughout Connecticut. Rep. Scribner’s legislation was crafted as an amendment to House Bill 7163, which now moves to Governor M. Jodi Rell for final approval.

Rep. Scribner’s amendment would require DMHAS to administer a grant program to provide funds for tobacco education programs in various regions of the state and establish reporting requirements for grant recipients. Rep. Scribner is working with DMHAS to establish the guidelines and details of the program.

“Connecticut currently ranks in the bottom 10 nationwide in its use of the Tobacco Settlement Trust Funds and that also means the lowest rank in New England. Now, more than eight years after the national tobacco settlement came about, this legislation will finally devote substantial state funds toward one of its major objectives,” said Rep. Scribner. “It will also help Connecticut’s children and I am pleased we were able to get it approved on the final night of the Legislative Session.”