Victory - No, not in

Victory - No, not in Iraq, but for me, almost as much fun to announce.

"AntiSmoking Youth"...er, I mean, Target Market", is shutting down.

"I think there's a very strong feeling of resignation among staff members," said Toni Wehman, the group's press secretary.

The future of the group has been uncertain since February, when Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed draining the state's $446 million tobacco endowment to help fix the state's $4.2 billion budget deficit.

The endowment is the group's sole funding source. The Legislature must still approve Pawlenty's plan, but Health Department officials have decided it's a foregone conclusion.

"Even if the endowment isn't used in its entirety, there still won't be money to fund a statewide youth program," said John Stieger, department spokesman.

As a Minnesota taxpayer for whom the Tobacco Lawsuit was ostensibly intended to refund excessive healthcare costs, and who saw millions poured down black holes like "Target Market", all I can say is "Thanks, Governor Pawlenty".

Posted by Mitch at March 20, 2003 05:40 PM