Baltimore City Question ICharter Amendment – Baltimore Baby Fund
What your vote means
A YES vote creates a Baltimore Baby Fund and requires the city to put in 3 cents for every $100 of taxable property each year, to be spent only on helping families with newborns.
A NO vote means the Baltimore Baby Fund is not created.
Our one-line summary of the official wording.
In plain words
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
- The city must put $0.03 for every $100 of taxable property value into the fund each year. The fund can also take grants and donations. source: elections.maryland.gov
- Money may be used only to improve the economic stability of families with newborns and cannot replace newborn funding already in this year's budget. Unspent money stays in the fund. source: elections.maryland.gov
- The amendment does not say how much each family gets or who qualifies. The mayor and City Council would decide how the money is spent. source: foxbaltimore.com
- Reporting estimates the yearly contribution at about $15 million. source: foxbaltimore.com
Cost: About $15 million a year, about 0.32% of the city's 2026 budget (Baltimore Beat; Fox Baltimore). Set by the 3-cents-per-$100 formula, so it changes with property values. Source: https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/baltimore-newborn-benefit-heads-to-voters-questions-over-15-million-cost
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
- Put on the ballot by petition from the Maryland Child Alliance (formerly Baltimore Baby Bonus), which turned in 13,890 signatures; 10,000 valid city voter signatures were required. source: baltimorefishbowl.com
- An earlier version required at least $1,000 per newborn. The Maryland Supreme Court upheld a ruling blocking it because it was not proper charter material and limited the City Council's authority. The new version drops the payment amount. source: thedailyrecord.com
Why supporters want it
- Nate Golden, president of the Maryland Child Alliance, says the city has flexibility so long as the policy 'enhances the economic stability of parents with newborns.' source: baltimorebeat.com
- Emily Yu, campaign manager, says the goal is for Baltimore to be 'a place where families feel supported raising their children.' source: baltimorebeat.com
- Mayor Scott's office called the fund 'a natural evolution of his administration's guaranteed income pilot' and, in an Aug. 14 joint statement, said the mayor is 'eager to move it forward.' source: foxbaltimore.com
Why opponents object
- David Williams, a taxpayer advocate, says 'this is not something that is ready for prime time, and it needs to be reconsidered.' He cites too few details and little data, no clear limit on who qualifies, and affordability given the city's property tax rate. source: foxbaltimore.com
Who backs each side
- The Maryland Child Alliance, which describes itself as 100% volunteer run, sponsors the petition. The campaign page names no other funders. source: baltimorebabybonus.com
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
Word for word from the State Board of Elections' official Baltimore City ballot: elections.maryland.gov .
Charter Amendment Baltimore Baby Fund
Question I is a charter amendment to create the “Baltimore Baby Fund” as a new, separate fund in City government. The City could use money in the Baby Fund only to enhance the economic stability of families with newborns in Baltimore City. The City could not use money from the Baby Fund to replace funding for newborn children that already exists in this year’s City budget. The amendment would require each year’s City budget to include a contribution to the Baby Fund. The City’s required annual contribution to the Baby Fund will be $0.03 for every $100 in taxable property value in the City. The Baby Fund will also be able to accept grants and donations. Money in the Baby Fund will stay in the Baby Fund until the City spends it for the benefit of families with newborns. The City could not transfer money in the Baby Fund to any other purpose. Voting for this amendment would create the Baltimore Baby Fund and require the City to fund it as described above. Voting against this amendment would mean that the Baltimore Baby Fund would not be created.
- For the Charter Amendment
- Against the Charter Amendment
Latest news
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