Tax may help more people avoid sugar

I was a pediatric nurse at St. Vincent Hospital for 40 years. It would break my heart to see children with their mouths full of cavities. Many of these children would need oral surgery with anesthesia to repair their teeth because of their condition. Fortunately, more parents are becoming aware of the damage sugar can cause to their children, both their teeth and their general health. The debate now over a soda tax is helpful for making families think more about their children’s health. If a soda tax can help move people away from sugary drinks, I am all for it.

I also support expanded pre-K opportunities. There is funding for the most disadvantaged families, but too many working families cannot afford $900 to $1,500 a month to put their children in pre-K. A sliding scale for these families, as the proposed Pre-K for Santa Fe has, would be helpful.

Lillie Sandoval Santa Fe