Legal Action Against ‘Baby Bonus’ Proposal
Baltimore’s mayor and city council have filed a lawsuit to halt a proposal that would allow voters to decide on granting new parents a one-time $1,000 “baby bonus.” This initiative aims to alleviate childhood poverty from birth. The complaint, filed on Thursday, comes after organizers secured the necessary 10,000 signatures to bring the question to voters as a ballot initiative in November.
Argument Against the Proposal
City leaders argue that the proposal is unconstitutional and should be prevented from reaching the ballot. They claim it would give voters excessive influence over legislative decisions, effectively “usurping those powers” from elected officials. The lawsuit asserts that the charter amendment process is intended for changes to the form and structure of government, not specific legislative or budgetary questions.
Financial Implications
The proposed “baby bonus” would cost approximately $7 million annually, given that an estimated 7,000 children are born in Baltimore each year. This expense represents roughly 0.16% of the city’s annual operating budget. Although it wouldn’t lead to higher taxes, it would require the city council to allocate the necessary funds.
Supporters’ Perspective
Supporters of the baby bonus initiative, including the Maryland Child Alliance, view the lawsuit as a political power grab. The group, founded by Baltimore teachers advocating for legislation to alleviate child poverty, expressed confidence that the courts would reject what they see as an attack on democracy. They argue that while more systemic change is needed on a national level, providing new parents with a modest financial boost could be an essential first step.
Comparison to Other Programs
The proposal is inspired by a program implemented in Flint, Michigan, where women receive $1,500 during mid-pregnancy and $500 per month for the first year after giving birth. While countries in Europe and Asia have experimented with larger cash payments to encourage higher birth rates, the Flint program and the proposed Baltimore initiative aim to address child poverty specifically.
Mayor’s Position
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration, which launched a guaranteed income pilot program targeting young single parents in 2022, expressed support for the proposed amendment’s objectives. However, the administration prefers to keep the measure off the ballot.
