In its push to balance the budget, the state pulled a fast one on voters – a move the Arizona Supreme Court should reverse.
The state yanked $7 million in interest from First Things First, an early childhood development and health program established by voters in 2006. The program is funded by tobacco taxes.
State law prohibits tampering with voter-approved measures or their funding. But until its funding was spent, First Things First invested its money and earned $7 million – which the state said it had the right to take.
Nice try, but give it back. The funding can’t legally be touched, so it makes sense that its interest also is off-limits.
If the state doesn’t voluntarily return the $7 million, the high court should order it done.