POLITICIANS ALREADY EYEING EXXON'S BILLIONS
May 4, 2001
The Associated Press
5/4/01 1:32 PM
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Politicians are already coming up with ideas
about how to use a $3.5 billion judgment the state won against Exxon Mobil,
even though it may be years before any money changes hands.
Gov. Don Siegelman, who has been dealing with money shortages in the state
budgets, was elated Friday when Montgomery Circuit Judge Tracy McCooey
upheld the verdict against Exxon Mobil.
"A new day has dawned in Alabama," the Democratic governor said.
"By upholding the jury's verdict, Judge McCooey has presented
the people of Alabama with the opportunity to really change things for
the better. We must be careful to invest this money wisely so we bring
maximum benefit to our priorities, the education of our children and caring
for our seniors."
Lt. Gov. Steve Windom and Republican legislative leaders earlier proposed
putting one-fourth of the judgment into a trust fund called the Seniors
First Trust Fund. The earnings off the trust fund would be used to help
senior citizens pay for prescription drugs, Windom said.
Exxon plans to appeal the judgment to the Alabama Supreme Court, which
would delay any payment to the state.