Baltimore voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved Question I, a charter amendment that creates a permanent, taxpayer‑funded “Baltimore Baby Fund” to give direct cash assistance to expectant and new parents. The measure passed with roughly a 70‑30 margin after organizers gathered well over the 10,000 valid signatures needed to place it on the ballot.
How the fund works
Under the amendment, the city must set aside three cents for every $100 of assessed taxable property value. Officials estimate this will generate about $17 million in its first year. The mayor’s office says every newborn enrolled in the program will receive a one‑time cash payment, and parents may also qualify for additional assistance during pregnancy or monthly support, depending on future legislation.
Local leadership and community backing
Mayor Brandon Scott, who co‑chairs the national Mayors for Guaranteed Income coalition, championed the initiative alongside the Maryland Child Alliance. “We aren’t surprised that Baltimore voters saw the value in a baby fund to offer new parents direct cash,” said Shafeka Hashash, director of cash initiatives at the Economic Security Project, a group that has helped launch similar programs across the country.
Supporters highlighted the growing affordability crisis facing families. “Cost of basics like groceries, gas, health care and childcare continues to rise while paychecks haven’t kept up,” Hashash explained. “For new parents, the strain is even greater, with poverty rising sharply after birth.” The program aims to give families immediate relief for essentials such as diapers, cribs, maternity bills and daycare.
Council’s role and next steps
The Baltimore City Council will retain authority over the specific disbursement rules and eligibility criteria, which will be set through future enabling legislation. Council members are expected to shape the program to ensure it supports families while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Emily Yu, campaign manager for the measure, praised the grassroots momentum. “We are public servants and community members that wanted to make this happen, and it’s pretty unbelievable that we did,” Yu said. “It shows the power of the people in Baltimore City and an appetite for solutions that help families directly.”
Broader context
The Baltimore Baby Fund builds on a prior pilot, the Baltimore Young Families Success Fund, which ran from August 2022 to July 2024 and provided unconditional $1,000 monthly payments to 200 low‑income parents ages 18‑24. That program was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and demonstrated that direct cash can be an effective safety net.
National advocates see Baltimore’s vote as a model for other municipalities. Tegan Lecheler, national program director of the Mother & Infant Cash Coalition, noted that the measure reflects a growing demand for policies that address affordability and health care concerns for families across the political spectrum.
Mayor Scott and city officials have not yet responded to requests for comment on the implementation timeline, but the passage of Question I signals strong community support for policies that empower parents and strengthen families at the local level.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
