Cigarette Tax. After-School Tutoring.

CIGARETTE TAX. AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Imposes additional tax of 50 cents on each package of cigarettes. Tax increases to 60 cents by 2008. Requires tax revenues to fund voluntary after-school tutoring programs in public schools, primarily grades kindergarten through six. Requires most tutors to be college students. Requires participating schools to be accredited by Superintendent of Public Instruction. Establishes new commission to accredit non-profit and other qualified organizations to operate programs at school sites. Establishes new account in Cigarette and Tobacco Products Surtax Fund to receive additional taxes. Authorizes computer purchases for schools with excess funds. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Annual revenue increases of approximately $700 million in 1998-99, rising to about $800 million per year by 2008-09, from higher cigarette taxes. These monies would be used to fund the newly created after-school tutoring programs