State Senator Proposes Redistributing First Five Money

A Republican California State Senator says he has a way to save some of the state's low income health programs from the budget axe. He says the answer is legislation to get rid of a statewide program promoting early childhood development. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.

Senator Dave Cox says money that is raised from a tax on cigarettes for First Five commissions around the state would be better spent elsewhere. 

Cox:  "We're simply saying that's a failed program."

Cox points to recent audits and news articles about poor contracting practices and questionable spending by the commissions 

Cox:  "You wonder how it's possible that an agency that is getting almost $600 million a year could fail to be accountable.”

Cox wants to eliminate both the state and counties' First Five programs. He wants to take the unspent funds, nearly $2.5 billion, and give it to schools, cities and counties. Future revenue would go to the Healthy Families and Medi-Cal programs. A spokesman for Democratic Assembly Speaker Karen Bass says it should be part of upcoming budget negotiations but that the programs seem to be working very well.

Want more KPBS news?
Find us on Twitter and Facebook, or subscribe to our newsletters.

To view PDF documents, Download Acrobat Reader.