Assembly Democrats introduce bill for tobacco fund spending

Tuesday, March 23, 1999 | 11:11 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Assembly Democrats Monday introduced their own version of the millennium scholarship program, putting 25 percent of the tobacco settlement money aside to help students at the universities and community colleges.

Assembly Bill 652 would spend 65 percent of the estimated annual $48 million for health programs, and the remaining 10 percent would be invested in a public health trust fund for future health plans.

In contrast, Gov. Kenny Guinn proposes to use 50 percent of the money for college scholarships with the rest going to unspecified public health purposes.

The $48 million a year is Nevada's share of the national tobacco settlement that came about when states sued the tobacco industry, seeking compensation for having to pay for illnesses related to smoking.

To be eligible under the Democrats' plan, students must graduate from a Nevada high school and be two-year residents with a 3.0 grade-point average or in the top 20 in their class.

The plan offers priority for health and education majors.