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Supervisors introduce ballot measures to expand and reauthorize children's funds and create a children's council
Summary
Supervisors filed a package of charter amendments and resolutions to reauthorize the Children's Fund, reauthorize the Public Education Enrichment Fund and create a children's council; sponsors said the measures would be placed on the November 2014 ballot.
Several supervisors introduced a package of measures intended for the November 2014 ballot that would reauthorize and expand the city’s funding for children, create a new children-and-families council, and reauthorize the Public Education Enrichment Fund (PEEF).
Supervisor Avalos introduced a charter amendment to reauthorize the Children's Fund, joined as co-sponsors by a group of colleagues. The proposed changes include expanding eligible uses, increasing the tax rate used to calculate the fund, and lengthening grant cycles for community providers, according to presenters who described months of stakeholder meetings. “We are experiencing the greatest economic boom we’ve had in many, many years. That boom is lifting some boats, but it’s actually leaving many, many boats behind,” Supervisor Avalos said, arguing the reauthorization would provide a safety net for families who face rising rents and other pressures.
Supervisors also introduced a reauthorization of the Public Education Enrichment Fund (often called Prop H), which funds libraries, arts, student-support professionals and preschool. Supervisor Kim described the fund’s origins and the practical effects in schools, saying PEEF has supported librarians, arts teachers and wellness centers and that reauthorization should preserve and strengthen those programs.
Separately, Supervisor Yee outlined a proposal to create a Children and Families Council under a charter amendment to provide cross-agency coordination for early childhood and youth services, supplementing the grant and programmatic changes in the other measures.
Supporters from community groups spoke during public comment, including education and youth-service advocates, who urged passage and emphasized both program stability for nonprofits and expanded services for transitional-age youth. Supervisors said they planned further hearings and community outreach before formally placing measures on the ballot.
No final votes were recorded on the charter amendments during this meeting; the items were introduced for committee consideration and eventual placement on the November ballot if the legislative process continues.
