Ballot question that would pay new Baltimore parents $1,000 headed to state Supreme Court

BALTIMORE -- A Baltimore ballot initiative that would provide $1,000 payments to new parents is headed to the state Supreme Court, weeks after a lower court ruled the question was unconstitutional.

The Baby Bonus Fund is a charter amendment proposal that would provide families with a one-time payment of $1,000 for each child born or adopted.  

On August 28, the panel of seven state justices will determine whether the city can remove the Baby Bonus Fund question from the November ballot. This follows a circuit court judge's ruling last week that the question was unconstitutional.

The Maryland Child Alliance gathered more than 10,000 signatures to get the proposal on the ballot. However, the city is pushing to have the question removed, arguing that it exceeds the authority of citizens.

"I think it's in every single person's best interest to support children to build a stronger community," said Emily Yu, campaign manager of the Maryland Child Alliance. "It's widely agreed upon that our children and our families need the financial assistance. With healthier children, it contributes to a healthier community, a stronger community." 

The city also contends that it lacks the funds to support such a program. In response, the alliance claims the city has $7 million available to fund the initiative.

Mayor Brandon Scott's Office issued a statement on the issue in July, saying: "While Mayor Scott is supportive of the proposed amendment's objectives, charter amendments that effectively commandeer the role of the legislature go against Maryland law and the City's charter. That is why we have directed the Law Department to oppose the amendment as improper, despite our sympathies toward the underlying policy."

The organization says this extends beyond the baby bonus but could be precedent-setting for the state.

"If we go on the ballot, our campaign resumes immediately. We will be all over the city asking people to vote yes," Yu said. "If the State Supreme Court rules that the Baltimore Baby Bonus is unconstitutional, that sets a new legal precedent in Maryland for what citizens can accomplish through a charter amendment."

A final ruling is expected by early September.