Tobacco Recoupment

cc: Brunk K STATE OF MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Muhey fuel PARRIS N. GLENDENING GOVERNOR June 3, 1999 ANNAPOLIS OFFICE STATE HOUSE 100 STATE CIRCLE ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND 21401 The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton Tobacco- Recopart 14101 974-3901 WASHINGTON OFFICE SUITE 311 444 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (202) 624-1430 Washington DC 20500 TDD 14101 333-3098 Dear President Clinton: Thank you for signing the Supplemental Appropriations Bill, including the provision allowing states to retain control of their tobacco settlement dollars. Although I understand you would have favored a different outcome on this issue, please know that by signing this bill you have given states the necessary tools to protect the health of our citizens. Now, Maryland, along with other States, is able to move forth on an aggressive plan to combat the effects of tobacco. Your leadership on the issue of tobacco has been invaluable to Governors. Because of your unprecedented willingness to stand up against the powerful tobacco lobby, you have set an example for states and created a positive climate in which Governors are able to fight smoking on the local level. During this past legislative session, I pushed for and passed an increase of Maryland's tobacco tax, a necessary and proven tool to reduce youth smoking. Today, I am pleased to announce Maryland's aggressive plan to target our tobacco settlement dollars. This ten year, $1 billion dollar program will dramatically enhance cancer research, prevent young people from smoking, and help our remaining tobacco farmers convert to other crops. As the highlight of our aggressive plan, we will allocate half a billion dollars over the next ten years on cancer prevention and research. In order to decrease the number of smokers in Maryland, we are also committing $300 million over the next ten years to smoking education, cessation and prevention programs. In addition, we plan to invest over $83 million over ten years to help Maryland's tobacco farmers convert to alternative crop uses. I am proud of our plans in Maryland, and confident that you will be pleased. Now that states need no longer worry about settlement dollars being tied up in courts, I am pleased that we are able to move ahead with our plans to combat the effects of tobacco and protect the health of Maryland's children. Thank you again for your role in making this possible. Sincerely, Pan Parris N. Glendening Governor