On April 24, 2024, the California Court of Appeal denied review of a Court of Appeal decision upholding Alameda County’s Measure C, a voter initiative passed in 2020 that will provide approximately $150 million annually to fund childcare and preschool for low income children in the county. The funds will be administered by First 5 Alameda County (“First 5”). Olson Remcho’s James Harrison and Tom Willis drafted Measure C and Harrison serves as general counsel to First 5.
“The court’s decision frees up over $400 million in tax funds that have been held in escrow pending resolution of the litigation,” said Harrison. “With these funds and the promise of $150 million annually on an ongoing basis, Alameda County may be the best-funded jurisdiction in the U.S. when in comes to early childhood health care and education.”
In arguing for the passage of Measure C in 2020 First 5 estimated that 4,000 to 5,000 more children would be able to enroll in subsidized child care or preschool if the measure passed; 12,000 children receiving preschool subsidies from the state would receive additional money to cover more of their enrollment costs; and 3,300 teachers would benefit from training and higher compensation.
Kristin Spanos, CEO of First 5, commented on the impact of the measure in July 2022 after the lower court had upheld Measure C: “As a society, we have failed to fully fund early care and education (ECE) for decades to the detriment of providers, the workforce, and families. The pandemic has made the challenges even more acute and worsened inequities that have harmed low-income and families of color for too long. These public resources are needed now more than ever to support and strengthen our county’s early childhood system, particularly with an equity lens. First 5 is proud to partner with the early care and education field and community in support of children and families.”