While a community may have the coalition, the need, and the local votes to create a new voter-approved children’s fund, local leaders often face constraints from the state that limit their ability to raise new sources of revenue and dedicate those funds to kids. For these communities, the biggest obstacle isn’t convincing voters to tax themselves, it’s that state law doesn’t authorize them to put a workable question on the ballot at all. 

A range of state laws and policy elements determine whether a community can create a voter-approved children’s fund. This report covers what advocates have learned about passing state legislation that allows communities to create those funds. It highlights legislative examples from Florida, Colorado, Missouri, and Washington; explains what the state legislation needs to get right; and offers tips for how advocates can avoid the pitfalls that can limit a local dedicated fund before it even reaches the ballot.