The First 5 Sacramento Commission on Monday slashed $48.5 million from programs serving young children in the county.

The cuts were necessary because the state recently took $1 billion in reserve funds from First 5 commissions across California to help balance the state budget…

The biggest cut, $17 million, was made to a project that will provide water fluoridation to parts of the county. Dentists lobbied for the project, saying it would reduce tooth decay and other problems.

First 5 will discontinue funding to the project after providing $17 million this year…

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