San Diego Mayor Eyes Tobacco Funds
for New Library
Funds from the national tobacco lawsuit settlement could be used to pay for the construction of a new downtown library in San Diego if the City Council approves a spending plan unveiled by Mayor Susan Golding January 29.
The city is expected to receive $312 million over the next 25 years. Golding believes that those funds should be used to pay for the new library, estimated to cost as much as $130 million, according to the February 2 San Diego Union-Tribune. Under the plan, the remainder of the funds would go towards parks, scholarships, and child-care programs.
However, Councilman Juan Vargas announced his opposition to the plan February 1, stating that the money should be used for anti-tobacco initiatives.
A spokesman for the American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties told the newspaper that while using the money for the new library may be worthwhile, it is contrary to the original intent of the lawsuit.
Posted February 8, 1999.
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