Faced with the prospect of state lawmakers raiding its endowment, the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation awarded $190 million to a trio of organizations that promised to carry out its mission, the Canton Repository reported April 4.

The foundation's board voted 13-1 to make the move after the legislature and Gov. Ted Strickland announced plans to take $230 million of the foundation's $270 million endowment and use the money for an economic-stimulus package. The maneuver effectively put the money out of the reach of lawmakers.

The remaining money will allow the foundation to continue its current programs for the next two years, officials said.

"The foundation supports job creation in Ohio," said foundation board Chairman David Rummel. "We don't believe people have to give their lives to do it."

Keith Dailey, a spokesperson for Strickland, said the governor "doesn't think this is a wise decision (by the foundation). These are state dollars, and the most appropriate way to use state resources is by state government."

The foundation was created in 2000 with funds from Ohio's share of the nationwide tobacco settlement. State lawmakers have previously raided money earmarked for the foundation to the tune of $568 million, but this time were thwarted because the funds had already been delivered to the endowment.

The money was given to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the American Legacy Foundation, and the Ohio Hospital Association for Healthy Communities Foundation.

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