FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sonoma County Democrats Rally Behind Measure I 

Santa Rosa, CA – Sonoma County Democrats are urging residents to vote YES on Measure I, a vital initiative that proposes a quarter-cent tax on personal property sales to strengthen early childhood education, mental health services, and childcare throughout our community. The Sonoma Democratic Party is committed to supporting our local families, children, and childcare service providers. 

Sonoma County’s childcare centers and families are confronting an early education crisis:

“I would say it was magnified and elevated in the community after the Tubbs Fire in 2017 where we lost 500 childcare slots overnight. That’s just one portion of the impact, and that was of course [made] worse by the pandemic.” (Ananda Sweet, member of the Our Kids, Our Future Campaign)

• Nearly 50% of available childcare slots in Sonoma County were lost due to recent local wildfires and the impact of COVID-19.
• This substantial decrease in childcare coverage has led to stagnation in the labor force, impacting mothers of young children the most. 
• In 2022-23, about 1 out of 4 Sonoma County students (22%) entered kindergarten “Ready to Go”
• Access to high-quality early childhood education better equips Sonoma County children for kindergarten, increases graduation rates, and enhances mental health outcomes.
• Falling tax income from tobacco products due to lower use is worsening the funding gap for early childhood education.

Measure I aims to close Sonoma County’s gap in early childhood education by:

• Expanding access to high-quality early childhood education: Funds will be allocated to increase the number of available childcare slots, improve the quality of existing programs, and increase access for low-income families.
• Enhancing health services: The initiative will support pediatric and mental health care for children.
• Improving compensation for childcare providers: By increasing wages for childcare providers, Measure I aims to attract and retain qualified professionals in this crucial field.
• Reducing our dependence on the ever decreasing state-wide tobacco tax while addressing Early Childhood Education needs.

“The Sonoma County Child Care and Children’s Health Initiative will raise approximately $30 million annually, revenue that will address a set of critical priorities identified by our community.” (Sonoma County Child Care and Children’s Health Initiative)

For a brighter future, for our families, our children, and our economy, Sonoma County Democrats support YES on I. 

Sonoma County Democrats are encouraging residents to learn more about Measure I and its benefits for our community. For more information, please visit Our Kids Our Future.

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Pat Sabo

Sonoma County Democratic Party Chair,  707-575-3029, communications@sonomademocrats.org