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Utah Senate sets tobacco‑settlement funds aside after heated debate over spending and oversight
Summary
After extended floor debate and failed amendment attempts, the Utah Senate passed Senate Bill 173 to create a restricted account for tobacco‑settlement proceeds and defer spending decisions until recommendations are received and federal claims are resolved.
The Utah State Senate on Monday advanced Senate Bill 173 to set aside any tobacco‑settlement proceeds and delay final allocations until lawmakers know how much money the state will actually receive and how federal Medicaid claims will be resolved. The bill, carried by Senate President Beatty, passed by roll call after an hours‑long floor debate and several failed amendments.
Senator Beatty told colleagues the bill’s purpose was to preserve the Legislature’s ability to decide spending once the size of the settlement and federal claims are clear. "All this bill says is ... to set this money aside until we know the issue and can debate it appropriately," Beatty said on the floor, stressing that the measure "is not to pledge the…
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