“The court’s ruling means that an estimated $50 million will stay where it belongs — in the hands of Missourians,” said Loree Anne Paradise, deputy chief of staff to Attorney General Josh Hawley. “It is a great win for the people of this state.”

At issue in the lawsuit was a dispute over money guaranteed to Missouri and 45 other states through a 1998 settlement with major tobacco companies.

Although Missouri typically receives about $130 million annually, a special panel decided the state in 2003 didn’t properly enforce part of the settlement requiring smaller tobacco companies that didn’t sign the 1998 agreement to pay into an escrow account.

The high court’s 4-0 decision allows Missouri to recoup the estimated $50 million that was withheld from its 2003 payment.

The money is heading to Missouri at a time when Greitens and state lawmakers are grappling with a tight state budget.

The Republican newcomer has proposed a spending plan that reduces spending on higher education and school busing aid and could remove as many as 20,000 elderly and disabled residents from in-home care and nursing homes.