Attorney Wayne Hogan, who scored a $17 billion settlement and an injunction forcing the tobacco companies to remove billboards advertising the cigarette-puffing Joe Camel and the Marlboro Man, told members of the Meninak Club last week that he was disappointed the settlement did not culminate into a statewide improvement of Florida’s educational system.
“I’m somewhat bitter about the end results of the case,” said Hogan. “The State has not done what they could have done and should have done with the settlement. If business in this state is serious about having a qualified workforce that is well-educated and capable, then it is necessary for business to say, ‘We must pay our debts,’ and one of our debts is educating our children.”
Hogan says he has no interest in jumping into the mayoral race. He intends to focus on ousting Jeb Bush from the governor’s mansion, health and educational needs in the state and reforming Florida’s tax structure.