COLUMBUS — The foundation that operated Ohio's anti-smoking programs is gone.

Gov. Ted Strickland on Tuesday, May 6, signed legislation, effective immediately, abolishing the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation and authorizing state Treasurer Richard Cordray to liquidate its $270 million in remaining funds — with $230 million going to a new state jobs fund.

The remaining $40 million goes for the foundation's obligations, which will be taken over by the state Health Department. The foundation was created with money from Ohio's share of the national tobacco settlement.

Shortly after Strickland signed House Bill 544, attorneys for the state asked a court to dismiss a lawsuit the foundation filed to stop the state from liquidating the foundation's money, said Keith Dailey, Strickland's spokesman. A hearing on the lawsuit is set for Thursday, May 8.

Dailey also said that 16 of the foundation's 17 employees would be transferred to the Health Department for the rest of this fiscal year, which ends June 30.

Strickland acted after the Senate approved the legislation, 29-3, Tuesday afternoon. The House approved it last week.

Sen. William Seitz, R-Cincinnati, said the foundation's money is needed to move ahead with a bipartisan economic stimulus plan.

Sen. Kevin Coughlin, R-Cuyahoga Falls, one of the "no" votes, said the action shows "we don't value the work the foundation has been doing."

A representative from the foundation did not return a phone call.

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