On Wednesday, April 24 the California State Supreme Court upheld the validity of 2020’s Measure C, The Children’s Health and Child Care Initiative for Alameda County.

A major priority for SEIU 1021, Measure C passed in 2020 with overwhelming voter support after a coalition of community, labor, health, and early childhood stakeholders gathered over 57,000 signatures to qualify a ballot initiative.

Measure C levies a 0.5% sales tax for 20 years and will raise $150 million annually to improve critical early health and education for Alameda County children. Measure C funds will protect local children’s healthcare safety net and the Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center at Children’s Hospital Oakland, while increasing access to high quality, affordable child care and preschool to improve kindergarten readiness, school success, and high school graduation rates.

The ruling means that Alameda County can finally spend the hundreds of millions of dollars being held in escrow from the half percent (0.5) sales tax that passed with over 64% support in 2020. Measure C’s resources are now available to fund pediatric healthcare, increase the availability of child care, and raise wages for child care providers.

SEIU 1021 Vice President of Politics Ramsés Teon-Nichols said, “This is going to be huge for early educators and our community across Alameda County. This money will make child care more accessible for more people throughout the county and improve wages for the people providing this crucial service. Working people need Head Start and family childcare centers, and the people who work there need to be able to get ahead and provide for their own families.

“The voters spoke overwhelmingly in favor of this, and all of us should be proud and happy that the California Supreme Court stood with the people today.”

The second Measure C passed, it was attacked in the courts. All lower courts, and now the California State Supreme Court, ruled in favor of the Measure C coalition, finding that Measure C only required 50% + 1 because it was a citizen-led initiative. The Court states that the two-thirds supermajority vote requirement for local special taxes in California applies to tax measures referred to the ballot by lawmakers but not to citizen initiatives like Measure C.

“Wednesday’s ruling validates the will of Alameda County voters to fund early education and ensure child care is accessible to all families, and that the labor of child care providers is honored and respected,” said Clarissa Doutherd, executive director of Parent Voices Oakland.

“Child care is a critical part of our economy, education system, and supports reproductive rights. This initiative is a testament to the power of community voice, and we are honored to build on the legacy of the late Supervisor Wilma Chan. We are thrilled for the initial funding that will lift up children and families throughout the County who have had to suffer through delays that would have helped address growing poverty, under-resourced child care facilities, and severe pediatric needs.”