About the Early Care and Learning Referendum

The Saint Paul Early Care and Learning Referendum asks voters to authorize a special levy to raise dedicated dollars placed in a special fund solely for this purpose. If passed, the initiative would provide an additional source of funding for families with children 0 to five who are seeking childcare and early education in Saint Paul. 

Background 

In September 2022, the City Council created an Early Learning Legislative Advisory Committee to examine whether Saint Paul should fund a program for early learning. The committee examined the current public funding streams for early childhood at the state, financial modeling on what a program might cost, and sources of funding available to the City. Representatives of four city-run programs of early learning, from around the country, who operate with various models, presented to the Committee. The Committee debated possible models for how a program could be designed in Saint Paul.

In March 2023, the Committee presented their final report to the Saint Paul City Council, including a recommendation that the City of Saint Paul create an early learning program to meet Saint Paul’s need for stable and affordable early care and education.

Legislative History

On July 19, 2023, the City Council passed a resolution ordering a special election to be held on November 5, 2024, to add a ballot question on whether the City should be authorized create a dedicated fund for subsidies for children's early care and education funded through a property tax levy. 

On July 27, 2023, Mayor Carter vetoed the resolution the Council passed.

On August 16, 2023, the City Council overrode the Mayor Carter's veto, placing the question on the ballot.

Ballot Question

SHOULD THE CITY LEVY TAXES TO PROVIDE EARLY LEARNING SUBSIDIES?
In order to create a dedicated fund for children’s early care and education to be administered by a City department or office that provides subsidies to families and providers so that early care and education is no cost to low-income families and available on a sliding scale to other families, and so as to increase the number of child care slots and support the child care workforce, shall the City of Saint Paul be authorized to levy property taxes in the amount of $2,000,000 in the first year, to increase by the same amount each year following for the next nine years ($4,000,000 of property taxes levied in year two, $6,000,000 in year three, $8,000,000 in year four and so on until $20,000,000 of property taxes are levied in year ten)? 

BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. The maximum amount of increased levy as a percentage of market value is 0.006% in year 1 and estimated to be 0.060% in year 10. The amount that will be raised by the new referendum tax rate in the first year it is to be levied is $2,000,000.

Voting Information

The City of Saint Paul will hold a General Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The proposal to authorize a special levy and create a dedicated fund for children’s early care and education will be on the ballot. 

Voting Resources 

Last Edited: September 4, 2024