Baltimore property taxes rise for new baby fund

Baltimore residents voted to dedicate a portion of existing property tax revenue to a new fund for families with newborns. The measure, which appeared to pass with majority support across reported precincts, directs $0.03 of every $100 in taxable property value toward the initiative. The Maryland Child Alliance, which organized the campaign, estimates the fund will generate roughly $17 million in its first year.

The ballot language does not specify direct cash payments. Instead, the question creates a fund intended to enhance the economic stability of families with newborns and requires that the new money not replace existing budget allocations. Mayor Brandon Scott has stated he intends to use the revenue for one-time cash payments to parents. He also plans to offer recipients the option to add funds to a Maryland 529 college savings account. The city plans to partner with the CASH Campaign of Maryland to distribute the funds, a group that previously managed a guaranteed income pilot in the city.

City Council members have not yet agreed on how the money will be spent. Councilman Mark Parker, who is expected to lead legislation on the issue, said he would prefer to see part of the fund used for childcare assistance. Voters expressed mixed reactions to the proposal. Deonna Smiling, a 26-year-old teacher, voted in favor of the measure after observing students in her classroom who needed more support. She noted that the idea was important, though she still had questions about eligibility and timing.

Jessica Lemon, 37, voted against the measure despite liking the concept in theory. She cited her concern about families with many children and said she could not support the funding structure as written. The vote included ballots from early voting, most Election Day votes, and some mail-in ballots. City elections officials will resume counting remaining mail-in ballots on Thursday.

Voters also addressed three other questions on the ballot. Question G appeared to pass, barring the city from selling or renting its stormwater system as a franchise. This follows a 2018 measure that protected the water and sewer systems from sale. Question H, which received broad approval, creates a new city department for water and wastewater. This separates utilities from the Department of Public Works to improve the city's bond rating and facilitate regional cooperation with Baltimore County and other jurisdictions.

Question E, which eliminates the requirement for the city to award contracts to the lowest bidder, also appeared to pass, though by a narrower margin. Proponents argued that vendors often underbid to win work and later recoup costs through change orders. Question F, which overhauled the city's budget-making process, was expected to pass but drew less enthusiasm. The amendment requires the mayor to submit a proposed budget to the City Council by April 30. It eliminates a preliminary hearing before the Board of Estimates and gives the City Council eight days after the fiscal year starts to adopt the budget.