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S&T Programs Funded through Tobacco Settlements

November 12, 1999
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Earlier this year, Michigan initiated plans to spend $1 billion over the next 20 years for life sciences research, development, and commercialization. With this commitment, Michigan became the first state to use its tobacco settlement funds to bolster technology-based economic development programs.

Other states and localities are considering using their share of the tobacco settlement funds for science and technology programs as well.

Recent proposals include:

Maryland: Governor Parris Glendening proposed that the state allocate $500 million, or $50 million per year for 10 years, to develop a statewide cancer care network, build world class clinical and research programs, construct new cancer-fighting infrastructure, and develop specific plans for cancer education, prevention, research, and treatment.

Ohio: This week, the State Senate passed legislation distributing over 12 years $443 million for a biomedical research and technology transfer fund to be administered by the Ohio Board of Regents. Governor Taft had proposed spending $1.8 billion over 25 years on biomedical research.

Oklahoma: The State Regents for Higher Education has called for spending $500 million to develop a state-of-the-art cancer research center in Oklahoma City and a satellite clinic in Tulsa.

San Diego County: The San Diego County Supervisors earmarked $100 million of the $945 million the county expects to receive from the settlement to create a world class cancer center.

Other uses for the tobacco settlement funds have been proposed, including: school construction and technology acquisition, general economic development for counties in tobacco-dependent areas, and  scholarships for college students.

More news on the settlement funds can be found at The Center for Social Gerontology’s home page: www.tcsg.org/tobacco/settlement/updates.htm

California