BALTIMORE — A proposed charter amendment for a $1,000 baby bonus has made it to the November ballot in Baltimore, following a successful petition by an advocacy group.
If approved, the amendment would provide families with a one-time payment of $1,000 for each newborn or adopted child.
WJZ spoke to several Baltimore residents who expressed support for the initiative.
Babies bring joy but also significant expenses.
To alleviate this burden, the Maryland Child Alliance is pushing for the establishment of the Baltimore Baby Bonus Fund through the charter amendment.
Over 10,000 Signatures
Nate Golden, president of the Maryland Child Alliance, announced that they exceeded the 10,000-signature requirement. They began collecting signatures in April 2023.
Golden emphasized the importance of investing in children at birth. “Research shows that early childhood is the most critical time for brain development and habit formation,” he said.
Community Support
Yolanda Brooks, a grandmother, supported the idea. “A thousand dollars for a new baby would greatly help with essential expenses,” she said.
Takia Robertson, familiar with many adoptive families, highlighted the financial strain of adoption. “Ensuring a stable and comfortable home for an adopted child is costly,” she noted.
Financial Viability
Golden assured that the amendment’s funding would be managed by the Baltimore City Council and that taxes would not be increased. The estimated annual cost of $7 million would be less than 0.2% of the city budget.
“We believe investing in our kids is worth more than that,” Golden said. “This will not bankrupt the city.”
If the amendment passes, the Baltimore Baby Bonus Fund would start issuing payments in July 2025.
