State and County Early Childhood Development Programs. Additional Tobacco Surtax.

STATE AND COUNTY EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. ADDITIONAL TOBACCO SURTAX. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE. Creates state commission to provide information and materials and to formulate guidelines for establishment of comprehensive early childhood development and smoking prevention programs. Creates county commissions to develop strategic plans with emphasis on new programs. Creates trust fund for these programs. Funding for state and county commissions and programs raised by additional $.50 per pack tax on cigarette distributors and equivalent increase in state tax on distributed tobacco products. Funds exempt from Proposition 98 requirement that dedicates portion of general tax revenues to schools. Summary of Legislative Analyst\u27s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact: Raises new revenues of approximately $400 million in 1998-99 and $750 million annually thereafter for the California Children and Families First Program, to be allocated primarily to new state and county commissions for early childhood development programs. Results in reduced revenues for Proposition 99 health care and resources programs of about $18 million in 1998-99 and $7 million annually thereafter. Results in increased state General Fund revenues of about $2 million in 1998-99 and $4 million annually thereafter. Results in increased county General Fund revenues of about $3 million in 1998-99 and $6 million annually thereafter. Potential unknown long-term savings in state and local health, education, and other programs