There’s every reason to support the notion of preschool for all. Research has shown the dividends that a quality preschool education can yield by giving children a strong start – socially, emotionally and educationally. And early education, which can cost several hundred dollars a month, simply isn’t affordable to many families.
But Measure 26-214, which seeks to essentially create a public preschool system in Multnomah County, is the wrong way to achieve it. The county lacks the expertise to oversee development of a new educational network. It expects to spend hundreds of millions of dollars over the next five years building out a preschool system that, by 2026, is expected to serve an additional 7,000 kids – a significant step forward, but a massive expenditure per student. And the county’s difficulties in fulfilling its existing responsibilities, such as helping serve the region’s homeless population, only raises the question of whether tasking the county to take on another big lift is wise.
The measure would create a new income tax on high-earners with a 1.5% tax on individuals' taxable income above $125,000 a year and on households' taxable income above $200,000 a year. It would levy another 1.5% on individuals' income over $250,000 and on households' income over $400,000 a year. In 2026, the commission would have the option of increasing the tax again to ensure that all kids are covered.
The ambitions come from the right place. Proponents want to focus on providing quality preschool for Black, Indigenous, Latino and other children who have been historically disadvantaged. They’re working with organizations serving communities of color to explore investing in buildings, teacher development, licensing and other ways to increase preschool opportunities. The measure also aims to guarantee that preschool teachers are paid similarly to kindergarten teachers.
But ultimately, expanding preschool may be best left to the state, whose growing Preschool Promise program has added capacity at thousands of dollars less per student. While the Legislature must be willing to push for such an expansion, the passage last year of the Student Success Act has already delivered tens of millions of new money to the program. As hopeful as “preschool for all” sounds, voters should reject the measure and ask the county to master what’s already on its plate.
- The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board
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