JEFFERSON CITY - State lawmakers gave first-round approval Tuesday to a plan that would divert $88 million from the state's tobacco settlement to plug holes in the state budget.

House members approved the measure by a voice vote over the objections of some who said the state had promised the settlement money for health and smoking cessation programs.

Rep. Richard Byrd, R-Kirkwood, said he had been given an assurance by Gov. Bob Holden in his 2001 State of the State Address that tobacco money would be used for specific health care and life science programs.

"I want to see that our state's portion of the national tobacco settlement is used for vital health care needs," Holden said, proposing a Health Families Trust Fund so that the money could be directed for specific needs.

But by using money from that special fund, Byrd said, that promise is being broken.

"The governor is taking money out of a trust fund and very quietly sending it to general revenue, money that was promised to the people to go for health care needs," Byrd said

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Tim Green, D-St. Louis City, said the transfer was regrettable but necessary, challenging opponents to find any other way to keep the state's budget balanced.

"The bottom line is if you don't take this $88 million, where are you going to cut?" Green said.

The transfer is part of a supplemental funding bill that completes the current fiscal year's budget ending June 31. Holden proposed using the tobacco money for other programs, saying it would keep him from cutting deeper into state services.

The bill awaits final approval by the House before it moves to the Senate.