Statehood or Parenthood

Heads up, Arizona! This is similar to California's Prop 10 that resulted in
the development of California First Five via taxing tobacco. If you, or someone you know smokes, encourage them to quit in order to save the children.

Similar to California's Prop 10!

Early childhood advocates in Arizona are seeking to qualify a measure for the November ballot that would raise tobacco taxes to pay for a variety of services for preschool children reports Education Week (August 9, 2006).

The measure, the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Initiative, which is backed by the Basha's grocery store chain owners, Eddie and Nadine Basha, would increase tobacco taxes by 80 cents, raising the total tax on cigarettes to $1.98 a pack.

The proceeds from the tax, which could be as high as $150 million per year, would be spent on local and regional services for young children, including health screening, early development services, and preschool. Information and training would be made available to Arizona parents, and grants would be distributed to existing private and faith-based providers to improve programs.

State election officials last week were still counting signatures from
the petitions turned in by the proposal's sponsors.

ExchangeEveryDay is a free service of Exchange Magazine.

View this article online at ChildCareExchange.com.