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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2007
CONTACT:
Lee Derr, Esq.
717-783-6538
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Orie And Dinniman Introduce Legislation To Maximize Pennsylvania's Use Of Tobacco Settlement Funds

State Senators Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) and Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester) announced the introduction of legislation which would implement the recommendations of a Senate Select Committee regarding Pennsylvania's use of tobacco settlement funds.

"In June of 2001, Pennsylvania passed its original tobacco settlement legislation, which is widely viewed by many as the national model for use of settlement funds," said Orie.  The legislation committed the entire proceeds of the settlement to support research and healthcare assistance.

In June of last year, the Senate Select Committee on Tobacco Settlement Funding was formed to review the efficacy of the initiatives established under the Tobacco Settlement Act, and to provide recommendations to the Senate on a vision for the future.

"In January of this year, the Select Committee's findings confirmed the enormous success of the Act," noted Dinniman. "The programs initiated by the Tobacco Settlement Act have greatly improved the climate for bioscience growth as compared to what it was when the Act was signed in 2001."

As the Committee's report noted: "To a great extent, the strength of Pennsylvania's life science industry is attributable to the allocation of its tobacco funds. Pennsylvania has invested more of its tobacco settlement dollars in medical research activities than any other state."

The Select Committee did not propose major changes to the Commonwealth's plan.  Rather, it emphasized the continuing need for venture capital to sustain the life sciences industry, and the role of Pennsylvania's small businesses in advancing and commercializing the research. 

"As the discussions begin on what changes, if any, should be made to Pennsylvania's plan to use tobacco settlement funds, we think it's important that the work of the Select Committee, as well as its recommendations, be recognized and considered," said Orie.

"We are hopeful that we can work together to continue Pennsylvania's model stewardship of the tobacco settlement funds and continue to prudently benefit medicine, business, and science in the Commonwealth well into the future," noted Dinniman.