STATE EXPECTS AT LEAST $433 MILLION SHARE.Byline: Paul Hefner Daily News Sacramento Bureau The California Attorney General's Office expects the state to get at least $433 million from Friday's settlement with cigarette makers, but the size of its share still must be negotiated among other parties in the legal battle. California sought that amount in its lawsuit, contending it spent the money caring for sick smokers over the past three years, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a spokesman for Attorney General Dan Lungren Daniel Edward (Dan) Lungren (born September 22, 1946), is a Republican of the United States House of Representatives representing California's 3rd congressional district (see map), located in the suburbs of Sacramento where he has served since 2005. . Lungren called the $380 billion overall agreement ``the first step toward a historical global settlement that will justly compensate California's taxpayers and force the tobacco industry to deal truthfully with the public about the harm their products can and have caused.'' Gov. Pete Wilson For others named Pete Wilson, see . Peter Barton Wilson (born August 23, 1933) is an American Republican politician from California. Wilson served as the thirty-sixth Governor of California (1991–1999), the culmination of more than three decades in the public arena that was optimistic about the deal as well, saying the settlement ``appears to be good news for Californians.'' Lungren brought the suit last week, adding California to the list of 40 states to file suits against tobacco companies. Lungren had stayed on the sidelines On the sidelines An investor who decides not to invest due to market uncertainty. on the sidelines Of or relating to investors who, having assessed the market, have decided to avoid committing their funds. while dozens of other states brought cases over the past three years. Lungren blamed the delay on the ``napkin deal,'' a controversial law granting immunity Noun 1. granting immunity - an act exempting someone; "he was granted immunity from prosecution" exemption, immunity waiver, discharge, release - a formal written statement of relinquishment fix - an exemption granted after influence (e.g. from liability claims to cigarette and other manufacturers. The arrangement was negotiated by former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown The name Willie Brown may refer to:
Wilson signed new legislation clearing the way for the suit only last week. But Democrats, especially Lt. Gov. Gray Davis, have insisted that Lungren had sufficient grounds to join the suit without a change in law. ``To date, 40 states have sued the tobacco industry. Dan Lungren was the 37th,'' said Davis, a rival of Lungren's in next year's race for governor. ``If that is leadership, we can do without it.'' Davis said he fears that states who weighed in with suits against the industry early on will receive a premium share of the settlement. ``I would be surprised if California got 100 cents on the dollar,'' he said. California attorneys will begin talks Sunday with other states over a funding formula to divvy up Verb 1. divvy up - give out as one's portion or share portion out, apportion, share, deal hand out, pass out, give out, distribute - give to several people; "The teacher handed out the exams" money from the settlement, which still must be approved by Congress and President Clinton. But there's nothing so far to suggest that California won't be considered a full partner in the settlement, said Rob Stutzman, Lungren's press secretary. If approved, the settlement also would bring to an end a suit against tobacco makers by several counties, including Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , now pending in a state court in San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. . Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said the county should review terms of the settlement from both a public health and a financial perspective. ``I'd be very guarded about this right now,'' Yaroslavsky said. ``These negotiations have taken place behind closed doors.'' |
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