Education Coalition Endorses Increase In Tobacco Tax

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Feb 6th, 2009

Education Coalition Endorses Increase in Tobacco Tax
 
Kentucky’s continued progress in education is being put at risk due to inadequate funding in the 2008-2010 budget, and the state should increase taxes on tobacco products to generate additional revenue, a coalition of education advocacy organizations said on February 1.

 

In a statement sent to Gov. Steve Beshear, legislators and other policy leaders, the Kentucky Education Coalition noted that significant financial investments in all levels of education have resulted in measurable improvements for the state. The coalition also cited research showing that Kentucky gets a greater return on its education investments than most other states.

 

“Present inadequate funding nonetheless leaves Kentucky schools trailing the nation, reversing gains, and falling further behind,” the statement noted.  Disadvantaged Kentuckians suffer the most as a result of inadequate support for education, with negative effects including lost economic opportunities, diminished quality of life and higher health care costs. By historical measures, Kentucky has a relatively poor and underemployed population, and has lagged well behind most other states in education. As a result, the stakes for Kentucky are higher than for most other states.”

 

Noting that a renewed commitment to funding is needed, the coalition said it supports efforts to significantly increase Kentucky’s tobacco taxes to support improvements in health as well as in education.

 

         Members of the coalition include: 

 

Catholic Conference of Kentucky

Kentucky Association of Colleges for Teacher Education

Kentucky Association of Professional Educators

Kentucky Association of School Administrators

Kentucky Association of School Councils

Kentucky Association of School Superintendents

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Kentucky Education Association

Kentucky Congress of Parents and Teachers

Kentucky School Boards Association

Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence

 

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