Support Tobacco Tax Initiative/ Health Insurance for

Every California Child Signature Drive

Whereas: 1,000,000 children in California lack health care coverage; and

Whereas: Passage of the Tobacco Tax Initiative will generate $2.27 billion for health-related programs to support:

· $405 million for children’s health insurance

· $828 million for hospital emergency care services

· $416 million for prevention, treatment and research of diseases such as cancer, lung disease, and asthma

· $213 million to prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit

· $100 million for nursing education and training

· $64 million for 100 + primary care community clinics that serve uninsured children and adults; and

Whereas: The California Democratic Party values and works for universal health care and has made universal health care a Democratic Party priority.

Therefore be it resolved: that the Santa Clara County Democratic Party endorses the Tobacco Tax Initiative and the signature gathering effort, and

Be it further resolved that this resolution be forwarded to the California Democratic Party for its consideration at its Executive Board Meeting January 27-28^th, 2006.