Oklahoma House Advances Measures Threatening Public Health Initiative

The Oklahoma House today ignored the clear will of its constituents and advanced House Joint Resolutions 1050 and 1077 out of committee, putting at risk one of the state’s most effective public health initiatives. These proposals would significantly alter and undermine the voter-established Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET).

HJR 1050 would send to a statewide vote a proposal to modify the structure of the TSET Board of Directors by making members at-will appointees of their appointing authorities and establishing term limits. HJR 1077 would refer to a statewide vote on a proposal to divert all annual interest from TSET to fund the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship program and the education reform revolving fund, while eliminating the Board of Directors altogether.

These sweeping changes not only hinder TSET’s work in the tobacco space but would also limit Oklahomans’ access to cancer care by slowing down Phase 1 Clinical Trials Program at the Stephenson Cancer Center. Diverting TSET funds would have a devastating impact on Oklahoma’s public health infrastructure and threatens to send the state further toward the bottom in overall health outcomes. The negative impact will be felt for years to come.

Cancer survivors, advocates and caretakers urge House leadership to keep HJR 1050 and HJR 1077 off the floor agenda and protect TSET from drastic funding changes.

Statement from Matt Glanville, Government Relations Director for ACS CAN Oklahoma and Arkansas:

“We are incredibly disappointed by the legislative actions to drastically alter TSET, and we believe redirecting its funds will have a devastating impact on the state’s public health. TSET has played a critical role in reducing tobacco use, expanding access to cancer care and research, and strengthening Oklahoma’s health care workforce. Eliminating its board and diverting its interest earnings would undermine years of progress and put lives at risk. We urge lawmakers to reject these measures and ensure Oklahoma does not lose a vital resource that has helped save lives across our state.”