Group seeks tobacco tax hike to fund early-childhood education

A Missouri group seeking an increase in taxes on tobacco to benefit early-childhood health and education says recent findings from statewide meetings and related surveys should help make their case.

Raise Your Hand for Kids is attempting to place a ballot issue in 2016 similar to three Missouri voters have struck down before, most recently in 2012. This time, supporters of higher per-pack taxes may seek the lowest increase yet proposed, 50 cents, versus the 55-cent to 80-cent increases previously sought. The 50-cent increase would generate about $250 million a year.

In a report released Monday, the group led by the not-for-profit Alliance for Childhood Education detailed research and community input it received over the past year on the campaign for a ballot issue.

Different this time, the group reported, is revenue from the tax increase would go directly to communities by way of establishing county boards to award grants instead of going through the normal state budgeting process. The group also reported through 11 statewide meetings, it determined there is "overwhelming support" for a tax increase to benefit early childhood initiatives.

Erin Brower, executive director of Raise Your Hand For Kids, said the group's goal is to file a policy with the secretary of state's office in May, then begin collecting about 100,000 initiative petition signatures needed to put the issue on the ballot and start major fundraising efforts for the campaign.

"We're hoping everyone really puts a little skin in the game," Brower said. "We know businesses are behind this, and we'll be visiting with local business groups, health groups and school groups and looking for fundraising from a wide range of stakeholders."

The group may face political and legal challenges on the ballot issue as the election nears, Brower said, as opposition has surfaced from tobacco and convenience-store industry groups in previous campaigns for tobacco tax increases.

At 17 cents, Missouri's current tobacco tax is the lowest in the United States. The group reports Missouri is the 38th-worst state for public prekindergarten funding. The group also reported Missouri enrolls the fewest number of children in state-funded preschool compared to surrounding states.

The group's surveys of educators, health providers, child advocates and business leaders identified a lack of high-quality programs, access for low-income families and long waiting lists for programs as the three biggest gaps in early childhood health and education.

Response from statewide meetings varied by location. But in Cape Girardeau, the group that attended a December meeting co-hosted by the United Way of Southeast Missouri favored an initiative that would allow for locally controlled funding using a grant system for prekindergarten and home visit programs such as Parents As Teachers. Counties should be required to establish advisory boards, and members of the boards should be representatives from public schools, Parents as Teachers, Head Start and the health community, according to the report.

Smoking cessation for pregnant women and educating parents about harmful effects of smoking in their homes also were reported as needs in the area.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3632