Cox Introduces Legislation To Redirect First Five Funds

Sacramento, Ca -- This afternoon 1st District Republican State Senator Dave Cox introduced legislation that would do away with First 5 California and its 58 county commissions so that $2.5 billion in reserve can be redirected to cover children´s healthcare, education and other state and local services.

“Since its inception, First 5 California and its 58 county bureaucracies have been tainted with scandals because they lack accountability,” said Cox.

Cox is one of the lawmakers that called for a state audit of First 5 California´s spending on public relations ads that coincided with the qualification of Proposition 82 (Preschool for All). “After 10 years of misuse and questionable spending, it is time to rethink First 5´s existence and re-direct tax monies to where they can be effective.”

In 1998 voters passed Proposition 10, adding a 50-cent tax to each pack of cigarettes sold to create First 5 California. The agency´s mission is to improve the lives of California´s children through a comprehensive system of education, health services, childcare, and other programs.

Written by BJ Hansen