Bettencourt statement: SB 170, returning JUA funds

 The following statement was issued today following the vote on  SB170 ,  returning the JUA funds.

“The state had no right to go after the JUA money in the first place. Had Democratic leadership not gone on a spending spree over the last four years, it would not have been necessary to try and confiscate the $110 million. This fund was set up to assist doctors who were struggling to pay their malpractice insurance and it belongs to its members.  We warned the governor of the negative consequences of using one time money, such as the $110 million in JUA funds, to balance his budget. The time for using accounting gimmicks to balance the state budget is over."