Ideas Sought for Using Cigarette Taxes
A final public hearing on use of Ventura County’s $11 million in cigarette taxes will be held Thursday in Simi Valley.
The annual revenue flows to a countywide Children and Families Commission created by Proposition 10, a statewide initiative that added 50 cents more in taxes on each pack of cigarettes. The money must be used on programs benefiting children 5 and under and is separate from the $9 million a year that county government receives from a multi-state settlement with major tobacco companies.
Local commission members have held a series of meetings to solicit county residents’ suggestions on how the money should be spent. The final hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Simi Valley Boys & Girls Club, 2860 Lemon Drive.
The commission, an independent panel of children’s advocates, is expected to approve a spending plan April 17 when it meets in the Oxnard City Council chambers. In a preliminary report, the commission recommended that 55% of the money be used to prepare children for school.
Other broad funding goals include financial support for immunizations, vans for child-care programs, parenting classes and community education.
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