Baltimore voters approve $17 million baby fund in Tuesday vote

Baltimore voters approved the creation of a baby fund on Tuesday, a measure that will add approximately $17 million to the city budget in its first year.

The fund is financed by a property tax rate of $0.03 for every $100 of taxable value. City elections officials had tallied most ballots by the time of reporting, including early votes and a portion of mail-in returns. Counting of remaining mail-in ballots resumes Thursday.

The Maryland Child Alliance collected signatures to place the question on the ballot. The approved language directs the money toward enhancing the economic stability of families with newborns. It explicitly prohibits the fund from replacing existing budget lines for newborn care.

Mayor Brandon Scott announced last month that he intends to use the revenue for direct cash assistance. He plans to provide one-time payments to parents of enrolled newborns. Recipients may also qualify for additional cash or contributions to a Maryland 529 college savings account. Scott signed a partnership agreement with the CASH Campaign of Maryland to handle distribution. That group managed a previous guaranteed income pilot in the city.

The City Council holds the power to determine final spending details. Councilman Mark Parker, who is first in line to legislate on the issue, said he prefers some funds be used for childcare assistance rather than direct payments alone. Voters expressed mixed feelings about the logistics of the program.

Deonna Smiling, 26, a resident who voted yes, cited her experience teaching in the public schools as her primary motivation. She said she has seen students who are not properly cared for. Smiling said she wanted to know how the city would select recipients and set a timeline for payments.

Jessica Lemon, 37, said she supported the concept in theory but voted against it. Lemon pointed to acquaintances with more than nine children as a reason for her hesitation. She said she could not condone the current state of child care in the city.

Voters also approved Question G, which bars the city from selling or renting its stormwater system. This follows a 2018 measure that protected the water and sewer systems from similar sales. Question H, which also passed, creates a new city department to handle water and wastewater. This separates the utilities from the Department of Public Works. The change aims to improve the city's bond rating and allow for regional management of systems that serve Baltimore County.

Question E passed with a narrower margin than other measures. The question eliminates the requirement that the city award contracts to the lowest bidder. Proponents argued that vendors underbid to win work and then recoup costs through change orders. Question F, which appeared to pass, restructures the budget process. It requires the mayor to present a budget to the council by April 30. The council must adopt the budget eight days before the July 1 fiscal year begins, allowing time for vetoes.