Colorado election outcomes: Proposition FF without cost college meals passes

Colorado voters on Tuesday handed a measure that can assist college districts supply free college meals for all college students. 

Unofficial election outcomes present Proposition FF forward by a large margin.

Proposition FF will assist pay for college meals by limiting state tax deductions for these making greater than $300,000 per 12 months — which means these taxpayers would pay extra in taxes. That income could be accessible to high school districts that select to supply free college meals for all college students.

Advocates Tuesday night time mentioned they had been hopeful and never stunned.

“We consider in Colorado voters, we all know they perceive that our children want meals once they’re making an attempt to study,” mentioned Ashley Wheeland, coverage director for Starvation Free Colorado, a member of the Wholesome Faculty Meals for All coalition. 

Presently, districts get federal reimbursement for college lunches supplied to college students from low-income households. The federal threshold to qualify without cost or reduced-price meals varies by household measurement. This 12 months, a household of 4 would want to make lower than $51,338 yearly to qualify for sponsored meals. 

Educators and advocates consider that as a result of the price of residing in Colorado is greater than in lots of different states, many households who make greater than that quantity nonetheless battle to afford wholesome meals. 

Proposition FF would require districts to use for what’s often known as the Group Eligibility Provision program to get the federal authorities to cowl the price of extra meals. Relatively than asking particular person households to fill out functions for free- or reduced-price lunch, the district would use Medicaid and different knowledge to reveal scholar want. The state cash generated by Proposition FF would cowl any value not lined by federal {dollars}.

Advocates consider most college districts would take part.

In keeping with a state fiscal evaluation, the tax measure is predicted to usher in $100.7 million within the funds 12 months 2023-24, and growing quantities every year after. 

The measure passes with a majority of the vote.

Yesenia Robles is a reporter for Chalkbeat Colorado masking Okay-12 college districts and multilingual schooling. Contact Yesenia at yrobles@chalkbeat.org.