A $16 billion buyout bill could bring $5 billion to the state and result in costlier cigarettes
Jump to full article: Raleigh (NC) News & Observer, 2003-09-06
Author: JAMES ROSEN, N&O Washington Bureau
Intro: Lead negotiators reached agreement Friday on the main provisions of a $16 billion tobacco buyout bill, moving the House closer to the Senate on ending the support program and increasing the chances of enacting legislation this year.
FDA regulation of tobacco, a controversial issue linked to the buyout, would not be part of the House legislation, but it would be added later in a separate measure. Many senators say such regulation is the political price for gaining passage of a buyout.ΒΈ . . .
Tar Heel lawmakers at the center of the fast-moving negotiations said daily meetings among congressmen and their aides had broken an impasse that had stalled progress on a measure that could bring $5 billion to North Carolina, the country's top tobacco-producing state.
. . .
Most cigarette companies and tobacco-belt lawmakers oppose FDA regulation.
"I still have problems with that," Etheridge said. "We'll fight that battle another day. I learned you can only fight one battle at a time."
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