Baltimore: Voters approve baby fund and utility changes

Baltimore residents voted to establish a new fund to support families with newborns, according to preliminary results from Tuesday's election.

The measure, known as Question A, directs a $0.03 tax on every $100 in taxable property value toward the new fund. The Maryland Child Alliance, which collected signatures to place the question on the ballot, estimates the program will generate approximately $17 million in its first year. The ballot language specifies that the money must be used to enhance economic stability for families with infants and cannot replace existing city funding for newborns.

Mayor Brandon Scott has stated his intention to use the funds for direct cash payments to parents. He announced a partnership with the CASH Campaign of Maryland to distribute the assistance, a group that previously coordinated a guaranteed income pilot in the city. The mayor plans to offer one-time payments to eligible parents, with potential for additional contributions to Maryland 529 college savings accounts. However, the City Council has not yet approved these specific distribution methods. Councilman Mark Parker, who will lead legislative discussions on the issue, indicated a preference for using part of the fund for childcare assistance.

Voters expressed mixed views on the implementation details. Deonna Smiling, a 26-year-old Baltimore resident and teacher, voted in favor of the measure after observing students in her care. "I have students who need to be taken care of properly and aren't," Smiling said. "I was thinking of them." She noted she still had questions about how the city would select recipients and distribute the money. Jessica Lemon, 37, voted against the proposal despite initially liking the concept. Lemon cited concerns about the number of children in some households, stating, "Children are already off the chain in this city."

Voters also addressed several other charter amendments. Question G appears to have passed, preventing the city's stormwater system from being sold or rented as a franchise. This follows a 2018 measure that protected the water and sewer systems from similar actions. Question H also received broad support, creating a new city department dedicated to water and wastewater. Currently, the Department of Public Works oversees these utilities. The new department aims to improve the city's bond rating and prepare for regional management of water systems that serve Baltimore County and other jurisdictions.

Question E, which seeks to eliminate the requirement for the city to award contracts to the lowest bidder, also appeared to pass, though with a smaller margin than the other questions. Proponents argued that vendors often underbid to secure work and then recoup costs through change orders. Question F, a measure to restructure the budgeting process, was expected to pass. The amendment would require the mayor to present a budget to the City Council by April 30. It would eliminate the preliminary budget hearing before the Board of Estimates and task the City Council with adopting a budget eight days before the July 1 start of the fiscal year.