Measure on the ballot in the 2020 Oklahoma General Election in Oklahoma.
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Get StartedThis measure amends Section 40 of Article 10 of the Oklahoma Constitution. It modifies the amount of the annual tobacco settlement payments to the state to be deposited into the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund. It modifies the amount of the annual tobacco settlement payments to the state to be deposited into the Tobacco Settlement Fund for appropriation by the Oklahoma Legislature. It specifies that deposits into the Tobacco Settlement Fund shall be appropriated and expended to draw down federal matching funds for the Medicaid program.
A "YES" vote on State Question No. 816 is a vote in support of changing the amount of the annual tobacco settlement payments to the state to be deposited into the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund, modifying the amount of the annual tobacco settlement payments to the state to be deposited into the Tobacco Settlement Fund for appropriation by the Oklahoma Legislature, and specifying that deposits into the Tobacco Settlement Fund shall be appropriated and expended to draw down federal matching funds for the Medicaid program.
A "NO" vote on State Question No. 816 is a vote to oppose any changes to the current process of depositing 75% of tobacco settlement funds into the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund.
"The price tag of Medicaid expansion will be upwards of $164 million regardless of the method of expansion. I think it is responsible to find a way to pay for expansion since it's happening via the governor's expansion plan or the method outlined in State Question 802. The TSET fund was created to improve the health of Oklahomans, so it makes sense to consider using it to pay for providing health care to more Oklahomans.", in support of State Question No. 814 (Learn more)
"The endowment currently has well over $1 billion. It wouldn’t be disturbed by either of the state questions, and will long stand as a means of funding innovating health priorities for the state.", in support of State Question No. 814 (Learn more)
"Smoking continues to be the No. 1 cause of preventable death in Oklahoma and is responsible for 31% of the state’s cancer deaths. TSET is the state’s primary source of tobacco control and prevention funding. The trust also provides crucial access to healthcare, including investments for medical professionals in rural and underserved communities, and innovative clinical trials that Oklahomans with cancer can access without leaving home.", in opposition to State Question No. 814 (Learn more)
This measure seeks to amend Article 10, Section 40 of the Oklahoma Constitution (“Section 40”), which directs proceeds from the State’s settlements with or judgments against tobacco companies. Currently, Section 40 directs 75% of proceeds to the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund (“TSET Fund”), where earnings may only be used for tobacco prevention programs, cancer research, and other such programs to maintain or improve the health of Oklahomans. Meanwhile, the remaining 25% of proceeds are directed to a separate fund for the Legislature (“Legislative Fund”). The Legislature can also direct some of that 25% to the Attorney General. This measure amends Section 40 to reduce the percentage of proceeds that go into the TSET Fund from 75% to 25%. As a result, the remaining 75% will go to the Legislative Fund and the Legislature may continue to direct a portion to the Attorney General. The measure would also restrict the use of the Legislative Fund. Section 40 currently states only that the Legislative Fund is subject to legislative appropriation. If this measure passes, money from the Legislative Fund must be used to get federal matching funds for Oklahoma’s Medicaid Program. Shall the proposal be approved?
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