Bill giving state oversight of funds now headed to House
After four hours of debate Tuesday, the state Senate narrowly passed a bill that would preserve $20 million a year in funding for a tobacco prevention and cessation program but put it under state oversight.
The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi currently receives the money from the state’s 1997 lawsuit settlement with tobacco companies.
This year’s $20 million, however, is on hold while the court decides who wins a tug of war over the funding – Gov. Haley Barbour or former Attorney General Mike Moore, who won the settlement money, established The Partnership and is its chairman.
Sen. Terry Burton, R-Newton, who defended House Bill 1115, said it addresses one main criticism of the program: That the state has no real oversight over how the group’s $20 million annual payment is spent.“(If it becomes law) this bill would continue the good work of The Partnership and have accountability to the Legislature,” Burton said.
The bill, approved on a 25-23 vote, heads back to the House, which can accept it as is or vote for compromise negotiations.
Sandra Shelson, executive director of The Partnership, said the Senate’s approval shows the Legislature’s commitment to the group. “This further shores up the good work we’re doing making Mississippi a healthier state and saving the taxpayers of this state money in health-care expenses related to smoking,” Shelson said.
But the bill’s opponents said they want to see accountability before the money is spent.
The money has been going directly to The Partnership under the order of a Chancery judge. But Barbour went to court last year to stop the money from going directly to The Partnership.
“While it is claimed that The Partnership is audited, no certified audit of the Partnership’s use of the state’s money has ever been provided,” Barbour has said.
Moore said Barbour is telling people that if the bill passes, he will veto it. “It’s hypocritical. The governor’s only complaint has been that he wanted the money appropriated by the Legislature rather than the courts,” Moore said.
Barbour was in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday trying to secure additional funding for the state’s Katrina recovery.
When asked about Moore’s comments, Barbour spokesman Pete Smith responded, “That’s ridiculous.”
Opposing senators conceded The Partnership does valuable work, but implied that groups funded by The Partnership have used the money for everything from church choir robes to campaign donations.
Sen. Terry Brown, R-Columbus, offered an amendment to the bill that requires the state auditor to conduct a thorough audit before any public money is spent to fund The Partnership.
Brown said he was not satisfied with simply receiving a list of organizations that receive money from The Partnership.
Supporters of The Partnership say the group’s programs are some of the most successful in the country, and the money has been wisely spent.
James Flowers, 52, of Jackson hopes The Partnership continues getting its current funding. He participated in a smoking cessation program funded by The Partnership.
After smoking two packs a day for 37 years, Flowers said he hasn’t had a cigarette in five days. While he’s “not out of the woods yet,” Flowers said the program has been better than any of other method he’s used to quit. “This program really educates you and teaches you how to quit.”
The “Senate OKs Partnership Bill”
Originally written By:Joshua Cogswell
