Supporters and opponents debate the pros and cons of Arizona's Proposition 302

ABC15.com
October 27, 2010
Tim Vetshcer

Phoenix, AZ - The future of Arizona's 'First Things First' program will be decided next Tuesday when voters head to the polls to decide the outcome of Proposition 302.

On the ballot, Prop 302 is the last of the 10 initiatives as they're listed in numerical order.

Prop 302 asks voters whether to terminate the early childhood development and health board.

In more simpler terms, Prop 302 essentially decides the future of Arizona's First Things First Program.

"We think we have made some incredible inroads in the state of Arizona," said Nadine Basha, a member of First Things First's Board of Directors.

Just four years ago in 2006, voters approved a tobacco tax that established First Things First.

Operating with a budget of more than 300 million, First Things First set up a variety of programs statewide to help kids under the age of 5.

"The fact we're serving kids all across the state in a way they've never been served before is creating something unique in Arizona," added Basha.

"When it was created in 2006, we were in our heyday," countered Kevin McCarthy, President of the Arizona Tax Research Association which supports Prop 302.

"We had lots of money, we do not have that now," added McCarthy.

If approved by voters, Prop 302 would sweep the First Things First budget, estimated to be at 324 million dollars, into the state's general fund.

McCarthy says that windfall would prevent further cuts to core services as well as additional tax increases.

"There are a lot of difficult decisions that needs to be made to get the state back on its feet, Prop 302 is one of those," said McCarthy.