In November 2006 voters in Arizona will address Proposition 203, sponsored by First Things First. That measure would establish an Early Childhood Development and Health Fund, consisting of revenues generated by an increase in the state tax on tobacco products, donations and state appropriations. The state tax on cigarettes would increase from $1.18 per pack to $1.98 per pack. The fund would be administered by a new Board appointed by the Governor. 10% of the monies would be used for administrative costs and 90% would be used for program costs. Click on "Read more" to see a synopsis of the pros and cons and find more information about this ballot measure.
Poll: Will you vote in favor of Proposition 203?
1) Yes, we need to do more to assist Arizona's children at an early age.
2) No, this is just another Head Start program and punishes people who smoke.
Advocates of Proposition 203 say that the measure will raise $150 million annually to fund voluntary early health screenings and education programs for children up to five years old. First Things First will create a critical foundation so all children have a fair start. Early childhood development and health programs increases the number of successful students, reduces drop-out rates, welfare families, and subsequently the crime rate.
Opponents to Proposition 203 say that it is unfair to try and fund such a cause by deliberately targeting an unrelated, unpopular minority--smokers. While such a program will benefit working mothers and create jobs for teachers and others, it is really an expensive babysitting program; it will not help disadvantaged children in their later school years.
Read the exact language of Proposition 203, as well as officially posted arguments for and against.
Comments
it s just another way to tax smokers its not for smokers its for kids no school funding has ever passed so this is how to get monies they will loose like most taxs who will be next on the tax hit list
While we are all on the subject of the election next week, I have to voice my opinion on Proposition 203, an .80 cent tax on A PACK of cigarettes to fund early childhood development. Why is it that the smokers always get penalized, we are only harming ourselves by smoking. It is not that I am against early childhood development, but lets fund it like it should really be funded, by all the people. I would like to propose a .50 cent tax on a BIG MAC as well, as obesity is high up on the list as one of the nations number 1 killers as well. I urge you all to vote AGAINST Proposition 203. I guess I should have been more aware of this earlier and tried to get a proposition on the ballot to raise taxes for other issues that I am opposed to. I consider myself to be a considerate smoker and am not hurting others by my bad habits. If I have offended anyone, hit the delete button, for those who can see my point of view, please pass this along to others who may share my point of view.
All I have to say is it’s a good thing there are local Indian Reservations to get them without paying the tax…they want their money get it somewhere else from me…somewhere where it effects everyone not just a specific group of people who aren’t the majority.