Alameda County’s Measure A for Childcare Funding Falls Short of Victory

More than 214,000 Alameda County citizens voted yes in support of Measure A, an innovative half percent sales tax designed to provide more child care and preschool opportunities to low-income families. The final tally was 66.19 percent, which is just shy of the required 2/3 majority of 66.67 percent.

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to place Measure A on the June 5, 2018 ballot with the hope that the half percent sales tax would raise $140 million each year for child care services.

Currently, only 44 pwewnr of Alameda County children enter kindergarten ready for school. Expanded access to early care and education would have helped more children be ready for kindergarten. It would also ensure that the economy would have a reliable, prepared workforce. Families would have been able to head out to work without worrying about the care of their children. Measure A also would have increased pay for child care providers and educators to help them earn a more livable wage and reduce turnover.

Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan, President of the Board of Supervisors and a longtime advocate for early care and education, said, “Although Measure A received over 66 percent of the vote, it failed at the ballot box due to onerous state laws that require a supermajority to pass local tax measures. We are disappointed that we did not prevail on Election Day. But we came very close and we know that our work is not done. It’s clear that the overwhelming majority of voters support Measure A, and we need to keep moving forward.”

Measure A was a community-wide initiative informed by more than 100 listening sessions held earlier this year. An extensive program plan was developed that designated where funds would be allocated had the measure passed.

“A huge thank you to our dedicated volunteers who worked long hours spreading the word about Measure A. We also appreciate all of the Alameda County voters who made sure to cast their ballot this Election Day,” said Supervisor Chan.