State and County Early Childhood Development Programs. Additional Tobacco Surtax. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
	Argument in Favor of Proposition 10

PROPOSITION 10 WILL GIVE OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN THE HEALTHY FOUNDATION THEY NEED TO SUCCEED--IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE.

Scientific evidence proves that the care a child receives from the prenatal through the first years of life is critical to the child's brain growth and development. It has a profound effect upon whether the child will become a productive, well-adjusted adult.

Billions are spent on remedial education and social services for children after they enter school. For too many children, this is too late.

PROPOSITION 10 WILL PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE, INTEGRATED SERVICES FOR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN INCLUDING:

• Child immunizations, vision and hearing tests
• Prenatal and postnatal maternal and infant nutrition services
• Domestic violence intervention, prevention and treatment
• Treatment for children suffering from problems related to drug and alcohol abuse
• Child care, health care and social services not provided by existing programs

PROPOSITION 10 WILL MORE THAN DOUBLE CALIFORNIA'S ABILITY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC TO STOP SMOKING.

Smoking by pregnant women threatens the health and normal development of children. Smoking during pregnancy accounts for an estimated 20-30 percent of pre-term deliveries and increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Proposition 10 will more than double the dollars available for California's anti-smoking mass media campaign with a special emphasis on stopping smoking by pregnant women and parents of young children. It will also protect funding for breast cancer research.

PROPOSITION 10 IS FOR LOCAL CONTROL--NOT BIG GOVERNMENT.

80% of the money will go directly to counties. A local commission including experts in health care, education and child care will spend the money on programs that meet the priorities of parents in each community.

20% of the money will go to statewide programs including anti-smoking and parental education programs.

PROPOSITION 10 FUNDS ARE AUDITED ANNUALLY TO ASSURE ACCOUNTABILITY.

Section 130150 of the initiative requires an annual audit by the state and county commissions which must include ". . . the manner in which funds were expended, the progress toward and achievement of program goals and objectives, and the measurement of specific outcomes through appropriate reliable indicators . . ." THESE AUDITS WILL BE MADE PUBLIC.

PROPOSITION 10 IS ENDORSED BY LEADING HEALTH CARE, CHILD CARE, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY GROUPS INCLUDING:

American Cancer Society, California Division
American Heart Association of California
American Lung Association of California
California Medical Association
California School Boards Association
California Consortium To Prevent Child Abuse
California Child Care Resource and Referral Network
California Association of Catholic Hospitals
National Council of Jewish Women
National Black Child Development Institute
Los Ninos Child Development Center
Asian Family Resource Center

PROPOSITION 10 IS ENDORSED BY LEADERS FROM BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES.

Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, Republican
San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, Jr., Democrat
Businessman and Former Congressman Mike Huffington, Republican
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat

Proposition 10 is opposed by the tobacco industry, their front groups and the politicians who follow their agenda. A YES VOTE ON PROPOSITION 10 IS A VOTE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND AGAINST THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY.

ROB REINER
Chairman, I Am Your Child Campaign ALAN HENDERSON, Dr. PH
President, American Cancer Society, California Division JOHN D'AMELIO
President, California School Boards Association