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A query earlier than Colorado voters this November will now have two elements: Ought to the state increase taxes on higher-income earners to pay totally free college meals? And will the state use any extra income to shore up federal meals advantages that may face cuts subsequent 12 months?
Colorado lawmakers voted Sunday in a particular session to broaden Proposition MM, which is able to seem on the November poll. Senate Invoice 3 now additionally provides a provision to MM that any extra funding can be spent on the federal Supplemental Vitamin Help Program, or SNAP.
The poll measure will nonetheless ask voters to approve about $95 million in new taxes for the state’s Wholesome Faculty Meals for All program by rising earnings taxes on households incomes $300,000 or extra yearly.
Lawmakers gave the laws remaining approval within the Home with a party-line 44-17 vote. The invoice is headed to Gov. Jared Polis’ desk for his signature.
Lawmakers have been assembly since Thursday within the particular session known as by Polis to handle a state funding shortfall attributable to the 2026 federal finances’s change to tax code regulation. Colorado’s tax code mirrors the federal code, and federal adjustments imply much less company tax income for the state.
Lawmakers are contemplating tax code adjustments throughout the particular session and have additionally permitted spending on sure well being care packages, similar to Deliberate Parenthood.
The 2026 finances invoice permitted by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump makes quite a few adjustments to SNAP, together with new work necessities for recipients and better administrative prices for states.
Colorado Democratic lawmakers filed Senate Invoice 3 to forestall greater than 300,000 low-income Colorado households, together with many youngsters, adults with disabilities, and aged folks, from having their meals advantages decreased. The state would use additional income from Proposition MM to make sure SNAP recipients get the identical degree of advantages as earlier than.
“Households combating meals insecurity ought to by no means have to fret about when their subsequent meal might be, which is why Colorado Democrats helped create the Wholesome Faculty Meals for All program and have constantly invested in packages like SNAP and EBT,” stated state Rep. Katie Stewart, a Democratic invoice sponsor.
Different invoice sponsors embrace Democratic state Sens. Katie Wallace and Dafna Michaelson-Jeent and Democratic state Rep. Lorena García.
The invoice first totally covers the Wholesome Faculty Meals for All program, which has been extra common and price greater than anticipated. Then the state can use additional funding to counteract SNAP program cuts.
The invoice is supported by meals advocacy and county authorities teams. Faculty officers and advocacy teams didn’t oppose the laws. Nevertheless, behind the scenes, some college leaders anxious broadening the poll measure to incorporate SNAP funding would possibly trigger some voters to vote no.
That’s particularly a priority as a result of the way forward for the Wholesome Faculty Meals for All program is determined by Proposition MM and its companion, Proposition LL, passing.
This system has been extraordinarily common since faculties began to serve free meals in 2023, however as a consequence of prices, Colorado lawmakers determined to solely fund this system via December of this college 12 months. The state would cut back this system in January if the initiatives don’t move.
Colleges that presently take part within the federal Group Eligibility Provision program, which gives funding totally free meals on the nation’s lowest-income faculties, would nonetheless qualify for meals freed from cost. Colleges the place at the very least 25% of the scholar inhabitants qualifies totally free or reduced-price lunch as a result of they’re eligible for SNAP or Medicaid would additionally proceed to obtain state funding.
College students at faculties that don’t meet both criterion must fill out a federal type to obtain free or reduced-priced meals.
Jason Gonzales is a reporter overlaying larger training and the Colorado legislature. Chalkbeat Colorado companions with Open Campus on larger training protection. Contact Jason at jgonzales@chalkbeat.org,
