Multnomah County, OR’s Preschool for All: A November 2020 Ballot Measure Case StudyIn 2018, two separate campaigns began efforts to create a publicly funded universal preschool program in Multnomah County, OR. One of the campaigns, Preschool for All, was established by Multnomah County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson as an extension of a decade of community-led work to expand access to early childhood education. The other campaign, Universal Preschool Now, began as a grassroots movement following the closure of local community centers.1 Both campaigns had the same goal: to secure voter approval for a countywide universal preschool program funded by a tax on high-income earners. Although they initially began and operated separately, the two campaigns coalesced in August 2020 around shared goals and values and merged their efforts to support a single ballot measure. In November 2020, voters approved the measure to create the Multnomah County Preschool for All program funded by a new high-income earners’ tax currently projected to raise $160 million annually by 2026. Download PDF Filed under:Early Childhood, Advocates/Intermediaries, Funders, Policymakers/Agency Leaders, Publication, Voter-Approved Children’s FundsMore Resources Video Public Financing in Times of Uncertainty Presenters share strategies for confronting challenges kids' programs and services face during these unstable political times. Publication Travis County Votes “Yes” for Affordable Child Care Advocates in Travis County, TX, won a ballot measure in 2024 that will provide more than $75 million annually to fund services for infants, toddlers, children, and youth. Updates and Events News March 20, 2025 Multiple State Legislatures Introduce Bills to Provide Sustained Funding for Kids News January 29, 2025 State Tax Cuts Threaten Public Funding Just When Child and Youth Programs Are Most Needed Insights December 11, 2024 Reflecting on a Year of Accomplishments for Children and Youth—and Preparing for a New Political Climate Close Share it! Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Click to copy URL Link Copied!
Video Public Financing in Times of Uncertainty Presenters share strategies for confronting challenges kids' programs and services face during these unstable political times.
Publication Travis County Votes “Yes” for Affordable Child Care Advocates in Travis County, TX, won a ballot measure in 2024 that will provide more than $75 million annually to fund services for infants, toddlers, children, and youth.
News March 20, 2025 Multiple State Legislatures Introduce Bills to Provide Sustained Funding for Kids
News January 29, 2025 State Tax Cuts Threaten Public Funding Just When Child and Youth Programs Are Most Needed
Insights December 11, 2024 Reflecting on a Year of Accomplishments for Children and Youth—and Preparing for a New Political Climate