Tobacco Growers Should Receive Checks This Week

Source from:  amnews.com/public_htm 06/20/2005

Tobacco growers eligible to receive 2004 Phase II payments should be able to find some money in their mailboxes this week. "We have worked as quickly as we could to get tobacco families the money they need to continue their way of life," Rep. Lonnie Napier, R-Lancaster, said Friday. "I am proud to say that during the week of June 20, your check will finally be in the mail. Kentucky expected to receive $124 million in Phase II settlement money from the tobacco companies last year that would be paid directly to growers, but the money was denied by a North Carolina judge's decision in favor of the companies. That decision caused the Kentucky General Assembly earlier this year to divert $114 million of the state's Phase I money, earmarked to help diversify agriculture and improving health care, to make payments to the farmers who were counting on the money. The Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative also kicked in $10 million. The North Carolina ruling is on appeal to that state's Supreme Court and if the verdict is overturned, money received from the tobacco companies for Phase II payments will be returned to Phase I programs, Napier said. "The last seven years have not been easy on tobacco growers, so I know this money is certainly needed," he said. Enditem