May 30, 2006

STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR

Concerning Today’s Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi Court Ruling

“The Court’s ruling is a victory for the taxpayers of Mississippi and our Constitution. I am very pleased the Judge held that public funds must go through the proper Legislative process in order to be spent lawfully. I commend Judge Bradley for her willingness to reconsider and ultimately overturn her previous decision. Now we should re-focus our efforts on a constitutional and comprehensive approach to fighting youth smoking and drug use, such as the “Healthy Kids” initiative which I proposed.”

For more information on the Governor’s “Healthy Kids” initiative go to www.charlestonchronicle.net.