*********************************************************************** Californians for Healthy Kids Update - June 27, 2006 *********************************************************************** http://www.caforhealthykids.org 1. Children's Health in the State Budget 2. New Newsletter: Tobacco Tax Act of 2006 *********************************************************************** 1. Children's Health in the State Budget First, a big "thank you!" As children's health advocates, we mounted an incredible effort over the past few weeks to support funding for kids' coverage in the state budget. This year's budget will make some improvements for children's health coverage by allocating funding for county-based outreach efforts and easing families' enrollment and retention in existing public programs. In addition, local businesses, pediatricians, teachers, and other advocates made our elected representatives hear why over 80 percent of Californians support health insurance for all kids. Unfortunately, despite our strong champions in the Legislature and Administration, a handful of legislators blocked efforts to provide $23 million in funding to county and regional Children's Health Initiatives. Because a two-thirds majority is needed to pass the state budget in the legislature, the majority of legislators that supported the funding was not enough. We know that you share our disappointment that the sentiment of a few legislators is out of step with the vast majority of California voters. However, both the Governor and Legislature have expressed their commitment to assist local Children's Health Initiatives through legislation later this summer. In addition to this effort, we must also direct this momentum we've built towards support for our legislation (SB 437) and the Tobacco Tax Act of 2006. We must move beyond partisan politics to give every California child a chance at a healthy start in life. **Please read more in our press release at: http://www.100percentcampaign.org/newsroom/releases/2006/pr-060627.htm . *********************************************************************** 2. New Newsletter: Tobacco Tax Act of 2006 Below, please find the first edition Coalition for a Healthy California newsletter, sponsors of the Tobacco Tax Act of 2006. We will be sending you these newsletters, containing the latest developments regarding the Tobacco Tax Act of 2006, on a regular basis until the vote on November 7th! Coalition for a Healthy California NEWSLETTER - June 26, 2006 Latest News It's official! The Tobacco Tax Act of 2006 has qualified for the November ballot. The campaign turned in over 1 million signatures - 200,000collected by volunteers - in early-May and the Secretary of State's office verified the signatures on June 21. We expect to receive the proposition number by mid-July. Tobacco Tax Will Save Lives: A recent analysis by California's Department of Health Services, Tobacco Control Section, outlines the positive impact and the numerous benefits the Tobacco Tax Act of 2006 will have for all Californians: * IT WILL PREVENT 700 THOUSAND CHILDREN UNDER 17 FROM BECOMING SMOKERS. * 300 THOUSAND PREMATURE DEATHS WOULD BE PREVENTED. * AND 16.5 BILLION DOLLARS WOULD BE SAVED IN LONG TERM HEALTH CARE COSTS. Find the executive summary and the full study on our Web site: www.healthycalifornia.com . Events On Wednesday, June 21, dozens of kids and teens participated in the "Youth Rally Against Big Tobacco." They marched and chanted "brick by brick, wall by wall, Philip Morris can't kill us all!" in front of the Sacramento headquarters of Altria - aka Philip Morris. New Endorsements Our coalition continues to grow! New supporters: Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, California Association for Nurse Practitioners, California Black Health Network and Latino Coalition For A Healthy California. If you know of a group that may be interested in supporting the Tobacco Tax Initiative of 2006 campaign, please have them review the 'Join Us' section of the campaign Web site: www.healthycalifornia.com . Learn More The Tobacco Tax Initiative of 2006 Web site is a great resource for additional information. Please log on to: www.healthycalifornia.com . Coalition For A Healthy California - A coalition of health organizations promoting disease research, tobacco control, emergency care and children's health services, with major funding provided by California Hospital Committee on Issues, the American Cancer Society, California Division Inc., American Heart Association and the American Lung Association of California, ID# 1278256 555 Capitol Mall, Suite 1425, Sacramento, CA 95814 Printer friendly version : http://207.104.162.35/newsletterP.htm