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San Jose Mercury News
Letter to the Editor
June 30, 2006
In a $131 billion state budget, it is hard to understand
how a one-time expense of $23 million to support children's
health care was the major sticking point (Page 5B, June
27).
Although 80 percent of voters agree that all children
in California should have health coverage, a handful
of politicians successfully threatened the passage of
California's state budget by this expenditure.
As residents of Santa Clara County know, local health
initiatives are a cost-efficient success story. The $23
million would have kept counties from having to keep
children on waiting lists until permanent statewide funding
is established. Fortunately, the Tobacco Tax Act of 2006
will be brought before the voters in next November's
election.
Deena Lahn
Policy Director
Children's Defense Fund California
Oakland
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