In a recent ruling, the Baltimore City Circuit Court has deemed the proposed "Baltimore Baby Bonus" amendment unconstitutional, putting an end to a measure that would grant Baltimore parents a $1,000 cash payment following the birth or adoption of a child. The amendment, proposed by the Maryland Child Alliance, was struck down based, in part, on concerns that it would mandate appropriations without leaving sufficient discretion to the local government, as reported by Fox Baltimore.
Despite collecting over 14,000 signatures to secure the measure's spot on the November ballot, proponents now find their efforts stifled. According to WYPR, Nate Golden, a key architect of the Baby Bonus and a local math teacher, called the city officials' lack of action for the vulnerable and claims that the elected, have eschewed their responsibility and hindered others from championing change.
Judge John S. Nugent's decision referenced two Maryland cases, Atkinson v. Anne Arundel County and Cheeks v. Cedlair Corps, comparing the Baby Bonus more closely with the latter. Judge Nugent highlighted that the Baby Bonus "removes all meaningful discretion from the City" as it prescribes eligibility, payment amount, and funding mechanisms, according to WYPR. This decision was celebrated by Mayor Brandon Scott's office, which held that legislative spending should not be mandated by ballot initiatives.
But Golden criticizes the city's stance, pointing out that the funding model emulates the Child and Youth Fund, which Mayor Scott supported back in 2016 when he was a city council member. "It's just incredibly frustrating because we spent two years trying to get elected officials to do stuff through legislation, and they wouldn't," Golden said, per WYPR.
