Court: Legislature Wrong to Use Tobacco Money

The Arizona Supreme Court issued a ruling that found the state legislature overstepped its authority when it took $7 million in accrued interest from the 80-cent tobacco tax that goes to the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Fund and used to to fill gaps in the 2009 budget. By doing that, the justices said, the legislature violated the intent of the proposition, which was passed by voters in 2006. According to the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board, the tobacco tax has raised $330 million for development and health care programs for children.