How kids around the country triumphed this election |
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Last Tuesday was a win for kids. While results from many national and state races trickled in, it became clear that voters across the country turned out in support of ballot measures to fund child & youth services. From Pensacola to Portland, in counties both red and blue, voters came together to support kids in their communities. Often, the results were resounding: in San Antonio, a nearly 3 to 1 majority voted in favor of reauthorizing the tax that funds Pre-K 4 SA.
We're proud to know and work with the folks who made this year's "Children's Wave" possible. Every one of these measures began with the activists and leaders on the ground. The result? Over $500M/year in new revenue for kids. Onward!
A look at the successful measures below:
- Multnomah County, OR
- Multnomah County passed a progressive income tax on high-income earners to fund universal, tuition-free preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds by 2030. The tax will generate an estimated $133 million next year (and $202 million annually by 2026), and funds will be used to add 7,000 new slots by fall 2026 with fair wages for providers and high-quality, culturally responsive opportunities that meet children’s needs.
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San Antonio, TX (renewal)
- San Antonio renewed its ⅛ cent sales tax that generates $38 million annually for Pre-K 4 SA. Pre-K 4 SA serves 2,000 four-year olds annually in its centers while supporting extended school days, increased access, and improved quality for thousands of children in other early childhood education settings. Multiple independent evaluations have shown that students who attend a Pre-K 4 SA program, particularly students who are economically disadvantaged or with limited English proficiency, end the year ahead of their peers in math and language.
- St. Louis, MO
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St. Louis passed a 6 cent (0.6 mill) property tax increase to raise $2.3 million for birth-to-five programs and services, administered by the St. Louis Mental Health Board’s Community Children’s Services Fund. The fund was originally established in 2004 and has a particular focus on children’s mental health, providing psychiatric treatment, substance use prevention, family counseling, and more.
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Escambia County & Leon County, FL
- Escambia County and Leon County succeeded in joining the ten other counties in Florida with dedicated property tax revenue to Children’s Services Councils! Escambia and Leon County will institute 5 cent (0.5 mill) property tax increases to raise $7-8 million annually in each county, increasing the total property tax revenue of Children’s Services Councils in Florida to over $545 million collectively.
- Colorado
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Colorado's Measure EE will increase tobacco taxes and close the vaping loophole. It is slated to raise $87 million next year, increasing to $276 million by 2028. This revenue will initially go to backfilling the state education budget and funding affordable housing/eviction assistance, but will also put $2 billion into universal pre-k over the next decade.
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Cincinnati, OH (renewal)
- Cincinnati Public Schools succeeded in its renewal of a 73 cent (7.34 mill) emergency property tax levy for a period of five years, raising $48 million. Around 30% of the levy is dedicated to funding Cincinnati Preschool Promise, which has helped provide high-quality preschool for nearly 5,000 3- and 4-year-olds since the original levy was passed in 2016 with 62% of the vote.
An honorable mention goes to Los Angeles County advocates and voters who successfully passed Measure J, which amends the county's charter to require 10% of locally-generated revenue go to community investment and alternatives to incarceration. One of the primary intended purposes includes youth development programs. |
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What We're Thinking About
Why doesn't the US have a Children's Cabinet?
While state and local governments have been at the forefront of creating collaborative “children’s cabinets” to cut across silos and prioritize children and youth, there is no similar cross-agency table at the federal level. Our nation is facing a national pandemic and recession with reports of increased abuse and neglect, rising drop-out rates, and reduced opportunities for high quality care. As we rebuild, we have the unique opportunity to create more equitable structures that serve all of our nation's children.
We invite you to join us in adding your name to this sign-on letter, requesting that the new administration establish a White House Office on Children and Youth and a Children's Cabinet. Dozens of national, state, and local organizations have signed on to advocate for a population that is often an afterthought during major policy debates. Please consider joining us.
See the letter and the current signatories here. |
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This Month's Kids Funding Win |
We're looking forward to surfing this wave with you into next year and beyond! |
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