Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has publicly endorsed a ballot measure that would create a taxpayer-funded Baltimore Baby Fund (BBF) for families with newborns. The initiative, which secured a spot on the November ballot, proposes amending the city charter to establish a permanent line item in the municipal budget funded by a 3-cent tax per $100 of assessed property value.
The measure passed a critical threshold after organizers submitted more than 10,000 signatures, followed by structural revisions to qualify for the ballot. If approved by voters, the City Council would later determine eligibility criteria and disbursement rules through enabling legislation. The fund’s structure mirrors the Rx Kids program in Flint, Michigan, which provides direct cash assistance to families for prenatal and infant care.
Mayor Scott and BBF campaign leaders issued a joint statement emphasizing collaboration to secure voter support. “Mayor Scott and the Baltimore Baby Fund campaign look forward to working together in the months ahead to earn voters’ support and, if the initiative passes, outline a program that gives Baltimore’s babies and families the strongest possible start,” the statement read.
The proposed fund would operate as a dedicated budget line, with the City Council retaining authority over program specifics. Supporters argue the initiative could provide direct cash payments, subsidies, or supplies to parents of newborns, while opponents have raised concerns about long-term fiscal sustainability and governance. The measure’s passage would mark a significant expansion of direct financial support for families in Baltimore.
Key Details:
- Tax rate: 3 cents per $100 of assessed property value.
- Funding mechanism: Permanent line item in the city budget.
- Next steps: City Council to define eligibility and distribution rules if voters approve.
- Model: Inspired by Flint, Michigan’s Rx Kids program, co-founded by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Luke Shaefer.