Caldwell seeks ‘TSET reset’ to expand OHLAP, but some concerned

Since it was approved by voters in 2000, the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust has sought to improve “the health and quality of life” of Oklahomans. Now, after a high-profile dispute over a request to fund a hospital last legislative session, a leading House member wants a “TSET reset” that would move the mission of the $2 billion fund toward expanding access to higher education.

“We’re the only state that still has our corpus (from the 1998 tobacco company Master Settlement Agreement) and has grown it,” said House Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Trey Caldwell (R-Lawton). “But how do we get more bang out of the buck? That’s where the ‘TSET reset’ comes in, which is the endeavor that would, within the next 10 years, mean every single kid in the state of Oklahoma, if they want, can either go to college for free, vo-tech for free or (have) an apprenticeship.”

As Caldwell pushes HJR 1077 to send his proposal to a vote of the people, he has also filed HB 4003, which would create a fund for the State Department of Health to issue “legacy grants” to entities currently receiving TSET funding. Still, others worry Oklahoma’s public health efforts and local initiatives will be dramatically reduced under Caldwell’s proposal. TSET itself has been advertising on social media about its impact, driving more than 300,000 views each to 15-second videos about a sidewalk project in McAlester, a walking loop in Pryor and a playground in Tishomingo.

Caldwell seeks 'TSET reset' to expand OHLAP, but some concerned