Perata Measure Takes $45 Million from Kids Programs

A proposed statewide tobacco tax measure co-sponsored by ex-state Senator Don Perata would siphon $45 million annually from early childhood education programs, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office. East Bay kids programs would lose about $2.8 million a year, the Trib reports. The losses are prompting some early childhood education advocates to oppose the measure. However, backers of the measure, which would levy a $1 tax on each pack of cigarettes to fund cancer research, have no plans to alter the language of the proposition so that it won’t harm kids’ programs.