JMSO

When COVID-19 shut down colleges, it additionally severed entry to free breakfast and lunch applications that loads of Denver kids depend on. The federal authorities stepped in with cash to maintain these meals coming, which expanded protection to any child – not simply these whose households are thought of low-income.

That federal funding expired in 2022, and a few state lawmakers raised the potential for utilizing state cash to make sure all college students have entry to free meals in perpetuity. Their invoice was by no means launched, and have become Proposition FF.

How it will work

A sure on FF raises taxes on households that make greater than $300,000 per yr to pay for grants that colleges can use to purchase regionally sourced meals, improve pay for staff who work at school cafeterias and create guardian and scholar advisory committees who will be sure menus are as much as snuff. These taxes would start in 2023.

Faculties may even be required to take part in federal applications to get probably the most federal money accessible for meals. The Colorado Division of Training would even be required to report on this system each two years, to ensure issues are on observe.

Right here’s who’s for it and in opposition to it

Proponents say free meals are essential now, as inflated housing and grocery prices hammer households. Additionally they argue children must eat to take part higher at school, and making free meals accessible to everybody eliminates a “stigma” hooked up to a program that may in any other case be designated for low-income households.

Opponents argue larger taxes will probably be onerous for households making greater than $300,000 a yr in a time when the price of dwelling is inflated, and that the state shouldn’t purchase meals for households who can afford to do it.

For full descriptions and arguments for and in opposition to these measures, try your blue e book.