Arizona’s First Things First Initiative Plans To Spend $91 Million To Expand Children’s Health Care, Other Programs

Arizona's First Things First initiative plans to spend $91 million in its first full year on various projects to improve health and education programs for children younger than age five, the Arizona Republic reports. The initiative, which was created in 2006 when voters approved Proposition 203, is funded by an 80-cent-per-pack increase in the state cigarette tax and additional taxes on other tobacco products.

Under the law, 31 regional councils were established to allocate the funds based on specific concerns of different regions and tribes in the state. According to the Republic, the new taxes generated $236.6 million in fiscal year 2008, of which $82.7 million was directed to an administrative account and $153.9 million for programs that help state children. The initiative aims to spend the $91 million on the programs set up by the regional councils and additional money on other statewide projects.

Beginning in July, some regional councils aim to use the funds to provide more children with access to quality health care, health screenings and dental care (Schneider, Arizona Republic, 2/12).