So the folks against the sales tax initiative (Prop. 204) are amassing their moolah and their arguments.

But here’s one argument for the tax:  Kindergarten.

With the introduction of the Common Core Curriculum, we expect even more from kindergarteners — they need to be able to read and write and do basic math by the time they finish.

Which means?

Kids who have full-day kindergarten have a big leg up over the half-day kids.

And let’s guess where most of the half-day kids are located.  

Nope.  Not in the rich districts — they have had overrides that allow them to fund full-day K (though some richer districts, like Cave Creek, don’t).

No, the vast majority of half-day only kindergarten classes are in poorer districts.

Which means?

Those kids — who probably don’t start kindergarten on an equal footing — are already behind their peers in wealthier districts.

The sales tax initiative is no cure-all  – it only maintains the funding from the one-cent sales tax.

But that’s better than leaving those kids’ futures to the whims of the legislature and Governor Brewer.