Less smokers in CA cause budget crisis for family programs
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Fewer people smoking in California is causing a budget crisis for the state-funded program the First Five.
First Five improves the lives of kids during the first few years of their lives.
There is less tax money coming in from tobacco sales and that’s leading to a critical money crunch.
“We are funding things now but the cuts are coming so we will not be able to fund programs and services now,” said Executive Director of First Five Fresno County Fabiola Gonzalez.
She says their ability to help local families is in jeopardy as the so-called “sin tax” from California tobacco sales dries up.
“All of the funds that are attached to children’s service and programs in the first five years of life come from this tobacco tax were faced with a revenue decline of a hundred million dollars less,” said Gonzalez
In 1998, California voters approved a new tax on the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
That money is then distributed to First Five programs across the state’s 58 counties.
Executive Director of the First Five Association of California Avo Makdessian says things have only gotten worse with the state ban on flavored tobacco has led to a critical budget shortfall.
“This year, because of the flavored tobacco ban, we’re experiencing a 23 percent drop over two years, so it’s a pretty significant cliff… most First Fives only have about one or two years of fund balance left to continue operating.”
Last Wednesday, Gonzales and the other First Five leaders met with lawmakers in Sacramento to ask for help.
She says it’s time to find an alternative revenue stream.
“When you are getting down to what needs to be prioritized help us make sure babies are top of the list,” said Gonzalez.
