A student prepares lunch in the canteen during the first day of school at Stamford High School on September 8, 2020 in Stamford, Conn.
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John Moore / Getty Images
A student prepares lunch in the canteen during the first day of school at Stamford High School on September 8, 2020 in Stamford, Conn.
John Moore / Getty Images
Colorado voters passed a ballot measure to provide free meals to all public school students, according to a call from the Associated Press.
With a favorable margin of 55% to 45%, they voted to create a program that delivers those meals and helps schools pay for them, according to the election results.
The measure will help schools pay for meals by raising $100 million a year by raising taxes on the state’s wealthiest residents. Those earning more than $300,000 a year will find their state tax deductions limited, increasing their taxable income.
The vote comes after the expiration of the federal program for universal free lunches that began during the pandemic. That left states scrambling to restore funding.
Advocates say nearly 70,000 Colorado children can’t afford school meals but also don’t qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.
“I believe every child should eat, no matter what their parents’ income,” said Maria Olvera, a voter and mother of a school-age daughter in Westminster.
“No child is left behind,” she said.
“This is a huge win for hungry kids,” said Ashley Wheeland of Hunger Free Colorado.
The measure would also fund pay increases for frontline school canteen workers, help address staff shortages, and would encourage schools to buy Colorado products.
No organization opposes this measure. But critics say the program is unnecessary and too expensive. Some people question whether free meals are needed for all, especially since low-income students will continue to receive free meals under current law.
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