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Show Pape 16 - UINTAH BASIN STANDARD. January 6. 1998 Cannon blasts tobacco settlement attorneys fees as utterly absurd The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property today held a controversial hearing which promises to be the precursor to a contentious battle between Congress and the attorneys who helped negotiate a settlement between the various states nd the US tobacco industry. Congressman Chris Cannon ), a member of the subcommittee, is cosponsor ofa bill which would reign in the outrageous attorneys fees currently estimated to reach an aggregate exceeding $80 billion. Some states actually ofTercd attorneys more than 25 percent of their share of the $368.5 billion agreement. However, many members of Congress contend that such individual state agreements hold no jurisdiction over what is clearly a federal issue. The debate is not over whether the attorneys who helped bring about the settlement deserve compensation - clearly they do. But the issue before us today is of a much broader scale. It is important to remember that the states' lawsuits were but one factor in an issue with many ancillary components. Of equal or greater weight in the negotiations were the threats ofthe FDA to regulate tobacco as a drug, as well as numerous bills in Congress aimed at raising tobacco taxes, restricting advertising and youth access to tobacco, and boosting antismoking programs, Cannon said. "It is equally important to note that, unlike traditional civil litigation, the states and the tobacco companies realize that they must seek congressional and presidential authorization before any provisions of the settlement can be adopted. In a sense, this settlement is not a setbut a package of ideas, tlement ready to be tweaked and changed in the legislative process. Thus, it is my opinion that the agreements between the states and outside counsel are not binding on Congress. Nor should they be. The compensation proposed is absurd. South Carolina and one in Utah will be entitled to $154.5 million. That is nearly $155 million that wont be available to reduce teenage smoking or help cover the ravages of smoking. That is $155 million that will not be available to improve child health programs. To put that sum in perspective, $155 million is more money than Utah receives in federal highway money each year. It is a sum that is roughly d of what Utah spends on the criminal justice system each year. That $155 million would be divided among two law firms, which is utterly and completely absurd. The legislation debated today, HR 2740, which is intended only to -- one-thir- - For purposes of analysis, Can- non highlighted the impact of the proposed sett lement for Utah , which was the 15th state to sue the tobac- -' co companies. Said Cannon, Calcu- lations indicate that Utah's share of the proposed settlement is $618 million. Under the contingency fee agreement struck by Utah's attorney general, two law firms - one in ' begin the negotiation process, currently calls for fees to be restricted to $35 million, or roughly $150 per hour billed. The law firms that assisted the states should be compensated, but they should not be given the equivalent of winning the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes. We can argue whether that number should be higher or lower. We can argue what hours are legitimate to bill. But, given the fact that the tobacco settlement is not traditional plaintiff litigation and given that Congress is critical to implementing the pact, I believe that these or similar restrictions are appropriate, he stated. Free eye exams for families low-inco- me OIL PATCH Work in the Basins oil and gas industry picked up steam during second quarter 1997 with a total of 374 new year-ovpositions. er workers and their families in Utah can sign up now to receive free eye care in March through a program called VISION Low-inco- USA. Optometrists who are members of the Utah Optometric Association are among nearly 8,000 optometrists nationwide who are donating their services through VISION USA to provide free comprehensive eye exams to people in March. To qualify for the free eye care, people must: have a job or live in a household in which at least one have member is working part-timno health insurance that covers eye exams; meet certain income criteria based on household size; and not have an eye exam at a doctors office within the last two years. People can obtain application forms from VISION USA, 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141. Completed forms must be postmarked by January 23, 1998, according to Gordon Seitz, O.D. the VISION USA coordinator for Utah. Applicants will also be screened for eligibility by phone but only from January 2 through 30, 1998. The number to call then is Phone lines will be open weekdays from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. (CST). There is no doubt in my mind famthat many people in ilies are being held down because low-inco- e; they cant see well enough to do their jobs or to learn in school, said Dr. Seitz. Some also have eye health conditions that could cause blindness if left untreated. Dr. Seitz said approximately children and 220,000 adults have received free eye care in the first seven years of the VISION USA program. Among the 20,000 examined last year, more than seven out of every 100 had eye health conditions and seven out often needed a new eyeglass prescription. The 1998 VISION USA program is being supported in part by Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc., and commission web site provides state and IRS tax forms & info Tax low-inco- e If one of your biggest headaches is traipsing around town to gather all the state and federal forms, schedules and instructions you need, take heart The Utah State Tax Commission has created an Internet resource page that will link you to state and federal tax forms and information from one convenient site. The Utah income tax site can be reached from the Utah State Tax tax-tim- CIBA Vision. , home Commission page: www.tax.ex.state.ut.us. A mere click ofthe mouse leads to information on 18 Utah income tax topics and nearly a dozen state tax forms that can be downloaded or printed using a laser printer. The Tax Commission page provides special help to Utahns who have earned a portion of their income in one or more other states. The Utah site offers convenient links to income tax form download pages for mofe than 40 other states. In addition, visitors to the Tax Commission site also can read, download, or print out dozens ofthe most commonly requested federal on-li- 7224.1:40 low-inco- mm I forms, schedules, instructions and publications. Many of the publica- tions are in text format and can be simply read on line. However, those who have more complicated questions, can link from the Tax Commission site directly to dozens more schedules and publications on the Internal Revenue Service's Internet server. In fact, one of the sites most useful features is a link to the IRS Site Tree, which provides alphabetical listings and links to all ofthe content. federal tax e The Tax Commission hopes this service will make the 1998 filing season more convenient for busy Utahns, spokesperson Janice Perry Gully said. on-lin- Did You Know? (NAPS) The nations leading advocacy group for defending and preserving the integrity of tificdata used in the public policy scien- - arena, The Advancement of' Sound Science Coalition, says scientists are worried that the public's misunderstanding of impor-- 1 tant health and environmental issues can lead policy makers to the wrong decisions. A new contest asks students to decorate grocery bags with their moat'ereative response to the question, If I Was a Tree, What Would I Be. For more information see the nearest IGA supermarket More consumers are using ATM cards for purchases and more merchants are welcoming them. According to the NYCE Network, ATM cards are faster and easier than paying with checks, safer than carrying cash and offer the convenience of plastic without building debt. The long term costs of vinyl siding (installation plus 20 years of maintenance) are 37 percent of those of brick, 51 percent of cedar . and 64 percent of aluminum, the Vinyl Institute reports. The Duchesne County Water Conservancy District was officially organized by the 8th District Court on December 30, 1 997. The newly formed district will work for an in behalf of Duchesne County's water interests. Every person and or property owner in Duchesne County will in someways be affected by future water activities and decisions. All water users should enthusiastically provide an atmosphere to protect present water rights. They should assist the district in planning for improvements to existing water systems as needed and look to the future of Duchesne County devel- opment. Under state law the County Commission has responsibility to appoint the members of the Water Conservancy Board. When the board is organized, it will appoint a manager to conduct the business of the district. The first duties of the board and manager will be to adopt and policies conducive to state law by-la- and sound business concepts. The following procedures are established for notification to appoint 7 board members. In recommending appointments to the Duchesne County submitted names should appropriately reside within 1 of the 4 districts as identified. 3) Any property owner residing and paying property taxes in Duchesne County is eligible for consideration. This is a map showing each division, (see map) A complete legal description may be obtained at the office of the Duchesne County Clerk, located in the County Administrative Office at 734 N. Center St, Duchesne, LIT 84021. The make-u- p of the board shall be as follows: Moon Lake Division: 2 Board Members -- DuchesneStrawberry Division: 2 Board Members Uintah Division: 1 Board Member Combined Cities: 2 Board Members. Board members will be appointed to staggered terms of -- -- -- Water Conservancy the Irrigation Companies, the Water Districts, the Cities, and all others having an interest should follow these guidelines: 1) All water organizations, districts, and cities are encouraged to meet and make their recommendations to the Commission. 2) Any individual or groups of individuals are encouraged to submit names for consideration. All District, service. succeeding appointments are three (3) year terms. The primary residence of any individual will establish the division he or she will be appointed to represent. A one page resume from each individual stating qualifications and interests for appointment is re- - All for R17E quired. The time period for public 1998 and conclude Friday, February 13, 1998 at 5 p.m. announcement and submission of resumes to the County Commission for consideration will begin Tuesday, January 6, Submit all resumes to: Duchesne County Commission, P.O. Box 270, Duchesne, UT 84021-027- or bring to the County Clerks office in the Duchesne County Administrative Offices, 734 North Center Street, Duchesne, Utah. 0; poo: |