Republican Sen. Dave Cox of Fair Oaks unveiled legislation Wednesday that would scrap the First 5 California program and use the money to provide health care for more children and give one-time funding to local schools and government.
Cox, who said the First 5 California program for early childhood development has been marred by questionable spending, proposed divvying up more than $2.4 billion in First 5 accounts among cities, counties, school districts and the state.
Future money from a 50-cent tobacco tax -- about $580 million a year -- could be dedicated to health care programs such as the children's health care program, Healthy Families, and Medi-Cal, which provides health insurance for low-income families.
"I believe this proposal is consistent with the governor's call for creativity and consistent refrain that the state of California budget should reflect California's priority," Cox said at a news conference Wednesday.
Cox, who has raised concerns about the program before, said voters did not intend for First 5 money to help families cover hotel stays and Target gift cards. He pointed to an ad that said parents could get up to $5,000 to set up music circles.
He added: "I think it's fair to say that health coverage should have a higher priority than music circles."
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