Baltimore City, MD (WBFF) — Baltimore City voters will decide Tuesday whether to establish a permanent fund providing cash payments to families with newborns, a proposal backed by Mayor Brandon Scott but facing criticism over its cost and unanswered questions about how it would operate.
Question I, commonly referred to as the Baltimore Baby Bonus, would require the city to set aside an estimated $17 million annually to support families with newborns. The proposal follows a pilot program that provided 200 selected families with $1,000 a month after the birth of a child.
One participant, Ariana Williams, said the payments helped her secure an apartment, find a job and begin saving for emergencies. Mayor Scott argues the program would give children a stronger start in life while providing financial stability for parents…