Tobacco Growers are to be Paid Overdue Funds Soon

Source from:  HERALD-LEADER STAFF REPORT kentucky.com 06/14/2005

Nearly 164,000 tobacco farmers and quota owners who have waited five months for millions from the Phase II grower fund should get checks in the mail the week of June 20th, Gov. Ernie Fletcher announced today. The promised $124 million, which cigarette makers refused to pay, will be paid out of agriculture' share of the state tobacco settlement payments. The state will borrow money to make $114 million in payments, and the Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative has agreed to provide $10 million. All payments will be exempt from state sales tax. Quota holders from the 2003 crop year will get 22.9 cents a pound; growing farms from the 1998 year will get 2.9 cents a pound; growing farms from the 1999 year will get 3.5 cents a pound; growing farms from the 2000 year will get 6.9 cents a pound; and tenant farmers from the 1998 year will get 2.9 cents a pound. Enditem